Those who cancel because they did not authorize Mercury to bill them will receive refunds. It also bars misrepresentations that consumers' Web pages can be located using major Internet search engines. It also requires that they disclose all material terms and conditions in writing before billing consumers. The Commission vote to accept the Stipulated Final Judgment and Order was 5-0. Stipulated Final Judgments and Orders are for settlement purposes only and do not constitute an admission by the defendant of a law violation.
Consent judgments have the force of law when signed by the judge.
In September 1998, the parties stipulated to a preliminary injunction. The Commission vote to approve the settlement was 5-0. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies worldwide.