The defendants are required to notify each of their current and future distributors about the proposed order. Finally, the settlement contains standard recordkeeping provisions designed to assist the FTC in monitoring the defendants' compliance. The Commission vote authorizing staff to file the proposed consent decree was 5-0. The consent decree was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, in Spokane, on April 28, 2000. A consent decree is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission of a law violation.
Consent decrees have the force of the law when signed by the judge.
Copies of the consent decree will be available shortly.