The Federal Trade Commission plans to investigate whether US
state regulations and business practices have anti-competitive
effects on e-commerce. The FTC claims that, according to private
estimates, the states’ actions in the area of e-commerce might be
costing consumers as much as $15 billion per year.
The FTC will hold a three-day public workshop to explore the
issue in October. The workshop will have panels composed of
representatives from industry, academia, state and government
agencies, and independent public policy organisations.
According to a Federal Register Notice, to be published today,
many states’ regulations prohibit the on-line sale of certain
products, or require that e-businesses maintain a physical office
in their state.
The FTC said: “These restrictions may contribute to sound public
policy, or they may constitute attempts by existing industries to
forestall the entry of internet competitors and impede new forms of
competition.”
