Ftc Consent Agreements

After a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission approved a final contract and approval agreement in which the American Guild of Organists agreed to eliminate rules that prevent its members from competing for performance opportunities. The Commission voted 2-0 in favour of the final order. (FTC File #141-0194; contact is Karen A. Mills, Competition Bureau, 202-326-2052.) The Federal Trade Commission strives to promote competition and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about how competition benefits consumers or file an antitrust complaint. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources. The agreement between the FTC and the American Guild of Organists, announced in March 2017, resolves the agency`s complaint that the guild`s rules restricted competition and harmed consumers in violation of the FTC Act. According to the guild`s code of ethics, if a consumer wanted someone other than an “established musician” to play at the same venue for a wedding, funeral or other service, the consumer had to pay for both the established musician and the musician chosen by the consumer. The guild has also developed and published compensation plans and formulas, and has asked its chapters and members to develop and use versions applicable to the region to set fees for their services. MEDIA CONTACT:Betsy LordanOffice of Public Affairs202-326-3707 The order requires the American Guild of Organists to no longer prevent its members from working as musicians and not to issue standard compensation plans, instructions, or contractual terms for members to determine their compensation. The Guild must implement an antitrust compliance program and is required by the Order to no longer recognize chapters that do not certify its compliance with the provisions of the Regulations. The Commission acknowledges that the Guild has taken steps to comply without delay with the proposed order and to terminate the practices identified as soon as possible […].