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35-746: The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) is an American industry trade group representing retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers of sports equipment . On May 26, 1929, the NSGA was formed when the Sporting Goods Dealer's Association of South Carolina merged with the Missouri-based Sporting Goods Distributors Association , to create the Sporting Goods Distributors Organization . The name

70-577: A 2008 Department of Justice Report on monopolization, saying that DoJ's approach placed "a thumb on the scales in favor of firms with monopoly or near-monopoly power and against other equally significant stakeholders." Leibowitz is also founding Co-Chair of the "21st Century Privacy Coalition," a coalition of telecommunications companies and trade associations focused on relaxing federal privacy laws. The 21st Century Privacy Coalition aims to help companies escape regulations on how they have to handle customer data. Leibowitz formerly served as co-chair of

105-646: A candidate or party; and lobbying legislators to support or oppose particular legislation. In addition, trade groups attempt to influence the activities of regulatory bodies . In the United States, direct contributions by PACs to candidates are required to be disclosed to the Federal Election Commission or state and local election overseers; are considered public information; and have registration requirements for lobbyists (FEC: Lobbyist). Even so, it can sometimes be difficult to trace

140-503: A handful of refiners studied displayed "troubling" conduct. Leibowitz advocated for re-invigorated enforcement of the FTC Act as a way to stop anticompetitive behavior that can no longer be reached under prevailing judicial interpretation of the antitrust laws. Leibowitz argued that in founding the FTC, "Congress intended to create an agency with authority that extended beyond the limits of

175-904: A market. In September 2007, the German trade association for Fachverband Verbindungs- und Befestigungstechnik (VBT) and five fastener companies were fined 303 million euros by the European Commission for operating cartels in the markets for fasteners and attaching machines in Europe and worldwide. In one of the cartels, the YKK Group , Coats plc , the Prym group, the Scovill group, A. Raymond, and Berning & Söhne "agreed [...] on coordinated price increases in annual 'price rounds' with respect to 'other fasteners' and their attaching machines, in

210-649: A reputation as a "smart kid who didn't flaunt his intelligence, and who was friends with everyone". Leibowitz attended the University of Wisconsin , where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1980 with a bachelor's degree (B.A.) in American History . After completing his undergraduate education, Leibowitz enrolled in the New York University School of Law , where he received his Juris Doctor degree (J.D.) in 1984. As of 2009, Leibowitz

245-463: A second term. Leibowitz resigned as both chair and as a member of the FTC on February 15, 2013. During Leibowitz's tenure as chair, the FTC filed more than 40 law enforcement actions to stop scams that prey on consumers suffering from the economic downturn , such as foreclosure "rescue" and mortgage modification schemes, phony debt-reduction and credit-repair services, bogus government grant opportunities, job scams, and get-rich quick frauds. In one of

280-500: A specific corporate product, such as a specific brand of cheese or toilet paper, industry trade groups advertisements generally are targeted to promote the views of an entire industry. These ads mention only the industry's products as a whole, painting them in a positive light in order to have the public form positive associations with that industry and its products. For example, in the US the advertising campaign "Beef. It's what's for dinner"

315-762: Is a member of the District of Columbia Bar . In 1986, Leibowitz joined the staff of Senator Paul Simon (D- IL ). In 1989, Leibowitz became chief counsel for Senator Herb Kohl (D- WI ), serving in the position until 2000. While serving in Kohl's office, Leibowitz additionally worked in the Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice from 1991 to 1994, and as chief counsel to the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Technology from 1995 to 1996. Additionally, he served as Democratic chief counsel and staff director for

350-519: Is often an important reason why companies join a trade association in the first place. Examples of larger trade associations that publish a comprehensive range of media include European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Industry trade groups sometimes produce advertisements, just as normal corporations do. However, whereas typical advertisements are for

385-448: Is often taken by employers' organizations , which also take a role in social dialogue . One of the primary purposes of trade groups, particularly in the United States, is to attempt to influence public policy in a direction favorable to the group's members. It can take the form of contributions to the campaigns of political candidates and parties through political action committees (PACs); contributions to "issue" campaigns not tied to

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420-847: Is used by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association to promote a positive image of beef in the public consciousness. These are adverts targeted at specific issues. For example, in the US in the early 2000s the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) began running advertisements before films that advocate against movie piracy over the Internet. Trade associations have faced frequent criticism due to allegations that they operate not as profit-making organizations, but rather as fronts for cartels involved in anti-competitive practices . Critics contend that these associations engage in activities such as price-fixing ,

455-571: The Senate Antitrust Subcommittee from 1997 to 2000. In 2004, President George W. Bush appointed Leibowitz to serve as a member of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), replacing Mozelle W. Thompson . Leibowitz was sworn in to the position on September 3, 2004, and on March 2, 2009 was chosen to serve as FTC Chair by President Barack Obama . In 2012, U.S. Senate confirmed Leibowitz's appointment for

490-612: The Sherman Antitrust Act ." Leibowitz has supported the use of Section 5 of the FTC Act ("unfair methods of competition") beyond the Sherman Act in standard setting cases, in a case involving a failed agreement to fix prices, and in other areas where companies behaved unscrupulously. With Commissioner J. Thomas Rosch (a Republican ) and Commissioner Pamela Jones Harbour (an Independent ), Leibowitz repudiated

525-400: The 21st Century Privacy Coalition, a group that has advocated for a strong federal privacy law to protect American consumers, but has also been criticized for trying to loosen regulations on how companies have to protect consumer's sensitive information. The 21st Century Coalition and Leibowitz were strong advocates behind April 2017 legislation passed by President Trump that repealed many of

560-876: The Commission to "name names" of advertisers who paid to advertise through so-called nuisance adware , software that displays or downloads advertisements on consumers' computers without their consent. Leibowitz has also advocated for balanced " Net Neutrality " rules and for the right of municipalities to offer broadband to consumers free from restrictive state laws. Leibowitz has called for strong industry self-regulatory initiatives to help combat childhood obesity and ensure that only healthier foods and beverages are marketed to America's children. He has also advocated continued review of entertainment industry marketing practices to prevent children from being exposed to inappropriate content. The Commission has completed five reports on this topic since 2000. As FTC chair, Leibowitz

595-672: The FTC proposed revisions to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule in September 2011 and sought public comments. Leibowitz said the revisions were in response to the rapid changes in technology. "We want to ensure that the COPPA Rule is effective in helping parents protect their children online, without unnecessarily burdening online businesses. We look forward to the continuing thoughtful input from industry, children's advocates, and other stakeholders as we work to update

630-410: The FTC settled in 2010 with Intel to restore competition and innovation that was lost as a result of Intel's alleged anticompetitive actions. In May 2010, the FTC closed its high-profile investigation of Google's proposed acquisition of AdMob , concluding it was unlikely to harm competition in the mobile advertising market, citing Apple's move to launch a competing mobile ad network. Leibowitz urged

665-686: The FTC, Leibowitz was a partner at the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell , where he helped found the "21st Century Privacy Coalition." In 2021, he was appointed to the position of Senior Counsel in the Maryland Attorney General 's office. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the National Consumers League, a consumer advocacy organization. Leibowitz grew up in Englewood, New Jersey , where he attended Dwight Morrow High School . During his childhood, he developed

700-542: The Obama-era regulations on internet privacy, allowing ISPs to sell its users' data. Though Leibowitz did not support that Trump-supported repeal, he did tell CNN that the bill's effects on privacy are overblown and called complaints "hyper-partisan hyperbole," criticizing both sides of the Net Neutrality Debate. Leibowitz justified his position by claiming that the law would allow a new set of rules for

735-538: The Rule." During an October 2011 speech about protecting online consumer privacy while ensuring an internet that generates the free content, Leibowitz coined the term " cyberazzi ." Leibowitz explained the term, stating "[a] host of invisible cyberazzi – cookies and other data catchers – follow us as we browse, reporting our every stop and action to marketing firms that, in turn, collect an astonishingly complete profile of online behavior," said Leibowitz. Under Leibowitz,

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770-770: The United States, outlined the potentially anti-competitive nature of some trade association activity in a speech to the American Bar Association in Washington, DC , in March 2005 called "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Trade Associations and Antitrust ". For instance, he said that under the guise of "standard setting", trade associations representing the established players in an industry can set rules that make it harder for new companies to enter

805-477: The creation and maintenance of barriers to entry in the industry, and other subtle self-serving actions that are detrimental to the public interest. These criticisms raise concerns about the true nature and intentions of trade associations, questioning their commitment to fair competition and the welfare of the broader economy. Jon Leibowitz , a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission in

840-607: The deficit and lower the nation's healthcare costs. During Leibowitz's tenure, the agency focused on promoting consumer protection, competition and innovation in technology sectors, through both policy initiatives and law enforcement. As FTC Chair, Leibowitz brought a number of high-profile privacy cases against Google , Facebook and other high profile technology companies for violating consumer privacy as well as major antitrust cases against multiple pharmaceutical companies for engaging in sweetheart "pay-for-delay" deals in which brand pharma companies paid generic competitors to stay out of

875-499: The entire industry. In a February 2020 op-ed, Leibowtz called for lawmakers to "do their job" and pass a strong national privacy law, noting bipartisan support for such a law. He is married to journalist Ruth Marcus of The Washington Post . The couple have two daughters; Emma and Julia. In June 2013, Leibowitz joined the Washington D.C. office of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Bloomberg Businessweek named Leibowitz

910-575: The framework of work circles organised by VBT". Jon Leibowitz Jonathan David Leibowitz (born June 17, 1958) is an American attorney who served under President Barack Obama as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from 2009 to 2013. Leibowitz was appointed to the commission in 2004, and resigned in 2013. During Leibowitz's tenure, the FTC brought privacy cases against Google , Facebook and others for violating consumer privacy, as well as enforcement against "pay-for-delay" deals in which pharmaceutical companies paid competitors to stay out of

945-452: The funding for issue and non-electoral campaigns. In Slovenia , the government 's approach to consulting business associations has been noted by the European Commission as a good practice example. Almost all trade associations are heavily involved in publishing activities in print and online. The main media published by trade associations are as follows: The opportunity to be promoted in such media (whether by editorial or advertising)

980-527: The largest judgments imposed in an FTC case—and one of the few major judgments against companies responsible for the Great Recession— Countrywide settled for $ 108 million with the FTC in June 2010 for collecting excessive fees from borrowers who were struggling to keep their homes. In 2011, the FTC mailed 450,177 refund checks to homeowners who were allegedly overcharged by Countrywide. Leibowitz

1015-512: The market. The agency released a preliminary staff report December 1, 2010 titled, Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change: A Proposed Framework for Businesses and Policymakers . With regard to consumer's online privacy, Leibowitz stated: "The FTC wants to help ensure that the growing, changing, thriving information marketplace is built on a framework that promotes privacy, transparency, business innovation and consumer choice. We believe that's what most Americans want as well." Also,

1050-459: The market. Prior to joining the FTC, Leibowitz was Vice President for Congressional Affairs from 2000 to 2004 of the MPAA . Prior to this, Leibowitz served in a variety of roles on Capitol Hill , including as a counsel to the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee in the office of Senator Herb Kohl . From 1984 to 1986, Leibowitz was an attorney in private practice in Washington, D.C. Since leaving

1085-498: The plausible explanation for the increase in gasoline prices, that the Commission found, was not necessarily the only explanation. "The question you ask determines the answer you get," he wrote, "whatever theoretical justifications exist don't exclude the real world threat that there was profiteering at the expense of consumers." Similarly, in an earlier report investigating accusations of price gouging by oil companies after Hurricane Katrina , Leibowitz wrote separately to note that

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1120-640: The practice results not only in windfalls for both companies—sometimes of more than a billion dollars—but also in higher drug prices for consumers. Leibowitz has published articles on this issue and advocates bringing cases against firms that engage in these practices. An FTC study released in October 2011 revealed that some pharmaceutical companies continued to engage in pay-for-delay deals in FY 2011. The findings prompted Leibowitz to ask Congress' "Super Committee" to restrict these deals, stating that it could help reduce

1155-430: Was active in preserving competition in the health care and pharmaceutical sectors. He criticized of "pay-for-delay" settlements in the pharmaceutical industry. The Commission aggressively worked at stopping pay-for-delay patent settlements in the pharmaceutical industry. These are deals in which a brand-name drug firm pays its potential generic drug rival to prevent price competition in the market. As Leibowitz explained,

1190-651: Was changed to the National Sporting Goods Distributors Association in 1930, followed by the National Sporting Goods Association in 1936. As of the 2023, the NSGA's Hall of Fame has awarded a total of 181 people are listed in the Hall of Fame, of whom 171 are male and 10 are female. Industry trade group In countries with a social market economy , the role of trade associations

1225-475: Was involved in efforts to rein in concentration in the oil industry . In 2011, Leibowitz stated that "[the FTC's] report spells out the factors that determine what consumers pay at the pump, and why gas prices seem to 'rocket up' but feather down." Leibowitz was the one commissioner to dissent on a 2007 FTC Report on Spring/Summer 2006 Nationwide Gasoline Price Increases, which found that the increase could be explained by market forces. Leibowitz suggested that

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