http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/10/R411005freeannualfile.pdf

Proposed regulations which would require advertisements for free credit reports to include prominent disclosures designed to prevent consumers from confusing these offers with the sole federally mandated source for free reports. Also prohibits other practices that may interfere with the free file disclosure process. From the Federal Register and the Federal Trade Commission.

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005endorsementguidesfnnotice.pdf

Final regulations from a two year process to revise federal rules governing use of endorsements and testimonials for product advertising. From the Federal Trade Commission.

http://www.oig.hhs.gov/fraud/cia/agreements/pfizer_inc.pdf

Text of the corporate integrity agreement between the federal government and Pfizer Pharmaceutical Corporation which provides for procedures and reviews to deter and detect any illegal promotion of pharmaceutical products in the near future. From the Department of Health and Human Services.

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2009/September/09-aag-900.html

Press release on details of the agreement where Pfizer and its subsidiary Pharmacia & Upjohn Company agreed to pay a $2.3 billion fine to resolve criminal and civil liability arising from the illegal promotion of certain pharmaceutical products. From the Justice Department.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40700.pdf

Reviews newspaper industry history, current conditions, including loss of advertising and readership to the Internet, and whether there are policy issues to justify the intervention of Congress. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4084.pdf

The 13th in a series of annual reports on recent trends in U.S. services trade. Focuses on such services as advertising, education, healthcare, and legal services. Reports that the contribution of U.S. professional services to gross domestic product was about $1.7 trillion or 17% of GDP. The U.S. trade surplus in professional services grew to $30 billion on total exports of $90 billion. From the U.S. International Trade Commission.

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm166801.htm

Warning about fraudulent products advertised over the Internet as flu cures or preventions. From the Food and Drug Administration.

http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2009/rp09-049.pdf

A research paper which provides information on British legislative attempts to control advertising and sales of tobacco products to children and youth. House of Commons Library Research Paper 09/49.

http://www.ftc.gov/reports/mobilemarketplace/mobilemktgfinal.pdf

Reports on May 2008 town hall meetings on consumer protection issues related to mobile communication devices. Concludes that more government oversight is needed in the areas of cost disclosures, unwanted text messages and spyware, advertising practices, and privacy issues, especially related to the use of mobile devices by children and youth. From the Federal Trade Commission.

http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k9/prevention/prevention.pdf

Reports results of surveys of youths who were exposed to substance abuse prevention messages and those who were not, and the relative effectiveness of the messages. From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34693_20090116.pdf

Examines the privacy concerns related to commercial services that track online activity to deliver advertising to targeted audiences. Covers the technical background, the provisions of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Federal Trade Commission Online Advertising Principles and Network Advertising Initiative standards. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.