Other settlements contain provisions that would permit the FTC to reopen the cases and obtain additional funds for consumer redress, should the defendants be found to have mis- represented their financial condition. The FTC also noted that the Surface Science case represents the first franchise case in which the FTC was able to act before any actual sales were made and, thus, before any consumers lost their investments. All except the United States Business Bureau and Telecommunications of America settlements were filed by the Department of Justice at the FTC's request. The Commission votes to file them were 5-0. Consent judgments are for settlement purposes only and do not constitute admissions by the defendants of law violations.
Consent judgments have the force of law when signed by a judge.