The Federal Trade Commission believes MLM income disclosures can be misleading. In its recent FTC Staff Report: Multi-level Marketing Income Disclosure Statements, the Commission emphasized that many MLM income disclosures lack clarity and present income data in confusing and ambiguous ways.

US District Judge Ada Brown has officially blocked the US Federal Trade Commission’s rule banning noncompete agreements. Brown had temporarily blocked the rule in July, stating the FTC did not have rulemaking authority.

After a Texas federal judge ruled against the Federal Trade Commission and its Rule seeking to end noncompete bans for workers, a Pennsylvania federal judge has ruled in the FTC’s favor.

Corporate social responsibility and advocacy are table stakes in today’s marketplace. Yet, companies of all kinds fall short on strategy in these areas. Direct selling companies possess the most potent of assets—independent sales forces and employee bases numbering in the tens of thousands—but often lack the know-how or motivation to effectively activate them as grassroots ambassadors who can inform, educate and advocate for their products, manufacturing processes, operations, independent sales forces, causes and missions and—most importantly—the direct selling industry itself.

The Federal Trade Commission’s April vote to approve a final rule banning noncompete clauses received swift and significant pushback from corporations who deemed the agreements necessary to their operations.

At a time when legislative gridlock in Congress means fewer regulations created by statute as well as increasing incidents of regulatory rule interpretation and expansion, direct selling companies are wise to step up or step into government affairs and advocacy at this time in order to proactively protect themselves. After all, once the Federal Trade Commission comes knocking, it really is too late.

In recognition of its successful defense of Neora in an epic victory against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the inaugural winner of the new Bravo Supplier Award is Foley & Lardner. Foley is not new to the industry. It has been representing direct selling companies for over 40 years.

To better understand the significance of this drastic revenue increase and the growth patterns that surround it, Direct Selling News analyzed the financial trajectory of the top 100 direct selling companies in North America with at least $50 Million in annual revenue, and three international direct selling companies with at least $50 Million in North American revenue.

The Federal Trade Commission voted to approve a final rule banning noncompetes nationwide. The commission expects the ban will promote more than 8,500 new startups each year, boost worker wages and innovation, and will protect “the fundamental freedom of workers to change jobs.”

The Federal Trade commission will host an open meeting on April 23 to vote on a proposed final rule that would prevent the enforcement of noncompete agreements by employers.

Compliance has long been considered an obligation, much like taxes and insurance, but there is power in building a company culture that reinforces and emphasizes compliance. A healthy compliance strategy shields companies from legal and regulatory offenses; reduces the prevalence of damaging and false information online; and prevents rogue sellers.

The Federal Trade Commission issued a letter to the Direct Selling Association to restate its position on the interpretation of the Koscot test. The letter was sent by Lois Greisman, Associate Director, who expressed concern about a 2004 FTC letter that addressed the commission’s stance on compensation based on personal consumption.