[Ecommerce] FTC workshop to examine E-Commerce barriers Oct. 8 to 10 in Washington, D.C.

[Manon Ress]

http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20020717S0003
FTC Workshop To Examine E-Commerce Barriers July 16, 2002

A surprising number of states have enacted regulations intended to 
protect local brick-and-mortar merchants from Internet competitors, the 
FTC says.
By Jennifer Maselli


Ever get annoyed when shopping online and finding the prices of the 
merchandise aren't published on the Web site? Ever wonder why some 
companies are unable, or unwilling, to list certain types of merchandise 
on their sites?

The Federal Trade Commission is wondering the same thing. That's why it 
plans to host a workshop to examine whether certain state regulations 
and private business practices have created an anti-competitive 
environment for E-commerce. The FTC says that a surprising number of 
states have enacted regulations intended to protect local 
brick-and-mortar merchants from Internet competitors. For example, some 
states prohibit companies from selling certain products online or 
require that E-businesses maintain physical locations within their 
state. The restrictions have affected retail stores, automobile sales, 
health care, pharmaceuticals, wine and liquor sales, auction services, 
and many other businesses.

The policies may be sound or may be attempts to prevent new Internet 
competitors from coming to market, the FTC says. Private companies have 
also engaged in similar behavior that could raise antitrust issues. Some 
dealers won't list the prices for certain items online while others 
won't sell certain product lines online at all, and the FTC says these 
companies are encouraging their competitors to do the same. "Reducing 
the barriers to E-commerce dramatically could increase competition and 
benefit consumers," FTC Chairman Timothy Muris says.

The workshop, which will be held Oct. 8 to 10 at FTC headquarters in 
Washington, D.C., will have several panels comprised of industry, 
academia, state and federal government agencies, and public-policy 
organizations.
-- 
Manon Anne Ress
Essential Information
www.essential.org
PO Box 19405, Washington, DC 20036
mress@essential.org, voice: 1.202.387.8030, fax: 1.202.234.5176