Enforcement

(a) Enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission (1) Unfair and deceptive acts or practices A violation of this Act shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice prescribed under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)). (2) Powers of the Commission (A) In general The Commission shall enforce this Act in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of this Act. (B) Privileges and immunities Any person that violates this Act shall be subject to the penalties, and entitled to the privileges and immunities, provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.). (C) Regulations The Commission shall, pursuant to section 553 of title 5, United States Code promulgate such regulations as the Commission determines necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. (D) Authority preserved Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the authority of the Commission under any other provision of law. (b) Enforcement by State attorneys general (1) In general (A) Civil actions In any case in which the attorney general of a State has reason to believe that an interest of the residents of that State has been or is threatened or adversely affected by the engagement of any person in a practice that violates this Act, the State, as parens patriae, may bring a civil action on behalf of the residents of the State in a district court of the United States or a State court of appropriate jurisdiction to— (i) enjoin that practice; (ii) enforce compliance with this Act or such regulation; (iii) on behalf of residents of the State, obtain damages, restitution, or other compensation, each of which shall be distributed in accordance with State law; or (iv) obtain such other relief as the court may consider to be appropriate. (B) Notice (i) In general Before filing an action under subparagraph (A), the attorney general of the State involved shall provide to the Commission— (I) written notice of that action; and (II) a copy of the complaint for that action. (ii) Exemption (I) In general Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to the filing of an action by an attorney general of a State under this paragraph if the attorney general of the State determines that it is not feasible to provide the notice described in that clause before the filing of the action. (II) Notification In an action described in subclause (I), the attorney general of a State shall provide notice and a copy of the complaint to the Commission at the same time as the attorney general files the action. (2) Intervention (A) In general On receiving notice under paragraph (1)(B), the Commission shall have the right to intervene in the action that is the subject of the notice. (B) Effect of intervention If the Commission intervenes in an action under paragraph (1), it shall have the right— (i) to be heard with respect to any matter that arises in that action; and (ii) to file a petition for appeal. (3) Construction For purposes of bringing any civil action under paragraph (1), nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent an attorney general of a State from exercising the powers conferred on the attorney general by the laws of that State to— (A) conduct investigations; (B) administer oaths or affirmations; or (C) compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary and other evidence. (4) Actions by the commission In any case in which an action is instituted by or on behalf of the Commission for violation of this Act, no State may, during the pendency of that action, institute a separate action under paragraph (1) against any defendant named in the complaint in the action instituted by or on behalf of the Commission for that violation. (5) Venue; service of process (A) Venue Any action brought under paragraph (1) may be brought in— (i) the district court of the United States that meets applicable requirements relating to venue under section 1391 of title 28, United States Code; or (ii) a State court of competent jurisdiction. (B) Service of process In an action brought under paragraph (1) in a district court of the United States, process may be served wherever defendant— (i) is an inhabitant; or (ii) may be found.