Federal Trade Commission

The FTC banned noncompete agreements this week, but state and federal laws can help companies protect their intellectual property.

The Federal Trade Commission and more than a dozen U.S. states are alleging that Amazon used "its monopoly power" to inflate prices.

The companies’ plans have drawn skepticism from trade unions, consumer advocate groups and Colorado's attorney general.

"We need to make sure the market knows that there is no exemption for AI," says Lina Khan of the Federal Trade Commission.

The agency has proposed new rules that would require companies to make unsubscribing less onerous.

The FTC says health-related claims need to be backed by relevant, peer-reviewed scientific research. "It's long overdue," said one marketer.

The Federal Trade Commission's proposed ban on noncompete agreements would affect many workers in sectors like fast food and retail, where these agreements can be a cheap way of retaining employees.

An estimated 1 in 5 Americans work under a non-compete clause. The federal agency argues the legal provisions harm workers and consumers.

A number of factors — the falling stock market, the war in Ukraine and rising interest rates — created uncertainty for companies that wanted to go public in 2022.

The Federal Trade Commission said Microsoft's planned takeover could suppress competitors.