the archives of f/k/a . . .

February 4, 2004

Feel Especially Protected This Week?

Filed under: pre-06-2006 — David Giacalone @ 4:19 pm

diner dude . . .

Hey, Consumers, we’re right in the middle of National Consumer Protection Week (the 6th Annual, in fact). President Bush proclaimed it on Monday, with the reminder that “This year’s theme, ‘Financial Literacy: Earning a Lifetime of Dividends,’ highlights the importance of financial education to consumer protection.” The FTC has an informative press release, too, with links to financial resources for consumers. (Thanks to Jurist Paperchase for the reminder to celebrate and educate.)

My decade at the Federal Trade Commission might make me a bit biased, but I think the Commission has the right approach to consumer protection:

help consumers be fully informed when making their decisions and asserting their rights
promote competition in price, quality, innovation, etc.
have a strong enforcement presence

You can find a directory of FTC consumer information here. The FTC website has a lot of good information about credit, investments, e-commerce and internet issues.

Go to Consumer.gov for a gateway to consumer information from the federal and state governemnts. While clicking around today, I discovered a webpage with links to federal Information in Other Languages — 25 languages! It’s interesting to see what’s available in various languages — the materials vary greatly.

Finally, to my lawyer colleagues: Please don’t forget that clients are consumers, too. They deserve:

to be fully informed of options and rights;

all the benefits of vigorous competition;

the protection of vigilant and effective regulatory watchdogs

special treatment every week.

e&h-e&h-e&h

Speaking of consumer fraud, thanks to The Fool in the Forest for mentioning my essay on Haiku & the Fair Use Doctrine in an interesting post today on Forgery and Plagiarism.

the archives of f/k/a . . .

February 4, 2004

Feel Especially Protected This Week?

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