Decoding Consent Decrees: The Key to Settling FTC Negotiations

When a company is in hot water with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), it might find itself at a crossroads: do they go through the lengthy and often tumultuous process of litigation, or can they find a way to negotiate a resolution? Here’s where the consent decree comes into play. So, what exactly is a consent decree? It’s a legal document resulting from negotiations between a firm and a regulatory agency like the FTC. Simply put, it’s a way to settle allegations without taking it to court. Pretty neat, right?