![]() |
On July 14, 2014, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published in the Federal Register a request for public comments on the overall costs and benefits, and regulatory and economic impact, of its Rules and Regulations Under the Hobby Protection Act (Rules), as part of the agency’s regular review of all its regulations and guides. Comments must be received on or before September 22, 2014.
On November 29, 1973, the President signed into law the Hobby Protection Act (the Act), 15 U.S.C. 2101-06. The Act requires manufacturers and importers of “imitation political items” to “plainly and permanently” mark them with the “calendar year” the items were manufactured. The Act also requires manufacturers and importers of “imitation numismatic items” to “plainly and permanently” mark these items with the word “copy.” The Act directed the Commission to promulgate regulations for determining the “manner and form” that imitation political items and imitation numismatic items are to be permanently marked with the calendar year of manufacture or the word “copy.” In 1975 (amended in 1988), the FTC issued Rules and Regulations Under the Hobby Protection Act, 16 C.F.R. Part 304. The FTC most recently reviewed the Rules in 2004. That review yielded many comments proposing that the FTC expand coverage to products beyond the scope of the Act and address problems involving the selling (or passing off) as originals of reproductions of antiques and other items not covered by the Act. However, the FTC retained the Rules without change, noting that it did not have authority under the Act to expand the Rules as requested. |