Title 15, Commerce and TradeRelease 119-110
§57b–1 Civil Investigative Demands
Title 15 › CHAPTER 2 — FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION; PROMOTION OF EXPORT TRADE AND PREVENTION OF UNFAIR METHODS OF COMPETITION › SUBCHAPTER I — FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION › § 57b–1
Summary
Gives the Federal Trade Commission (the Commission) the power to issue written demands, called civil investigative demands, before it starts a formal case. The Commission can require a person or company to hand over documents, turn over physical things, file written reports or answers, or appear to give oral testimony. A demand must say what conduct is being looked at and the law that applies. For documents, things, reports, or testimony the demand must clearly describe what is wanted, give reasonable return dates, and name the custodian who will receive the material. The main words used are: civil investigative demand (the demand itself); Commission investigation (the inquiry); Commission investigator (an attorney or investigator working for the Commission); custodian (the official who keeps the materials); documentary material (papers or records); person (any individual or business); violation (an unfair or deceptive act or an antitrust breach); and antitrust violation (unfair competition, violations of the Clayton Act or similar federal laws, certain foreign antitrust violations under the International Antitrust Enforcement Assistance Act of 1994, and preparatory work for mergers or similar deals that could cause harm). Demands may be served in person, by mail, or on an authorized agent, and service must be proved by a signed return or by the mail receipt. When documents or things are produced, the producing person or a knowledgeable representative must sign a sworn certificate saying all responsive material in their custody or control has been provided. Written questions and reporting requirements must be answered separately, fully, and under oath, unless an objection is made and the reason is stated under oath. Oral testimony is given under oath, recorded stenographically, transcribed, and sent to the custodian. Only the witness, the witness’s lawyer, the officer taking the testimony, and the stenographer may be present. Testimony is taken where the person lives, is found, or does business, or elsewhere by agreement. A witness may have an attorney present and the attorney may advise quietly. Objections may be made on the record, including the right not to answer on constitutional grounds. If a person refuses to answer, the Commission can ask a federal district court to order the person to comply. If a witness claims the privilege against self-incrimination, the Commission may seek to compel testimony under 18 U.S.C. 6004. After a transcript is made, the witness has a reasonable chance to read it and make changes; the witness should sign it unless they waive signing or cannot be found. If the transcript is not signed within 30 days after the witness first gets a chance to review it, the investigator will sign and note why it was not signed. The investigator certifies the transcript and gives a copy to the custodian. Witnesses get the same fees and travel pay as federal court witnesses and may get a copy of the transcript for a reasonable charge. If someone refuses to comply or will not allow proper copying, the Commission can file a petition in a federal district court where the person lives, is found, or does business to enforce the demand. A person who wants the demand changed or set aside must file a petition with the Commission within 20 days after being served, or before the demand’s return date, whichever is shorter, unless an investigator in writing gives more time; while that petition is pending, the time for compliance is paused except for parts not challenged. While the custodian holds material, a person may ask the federal court where the custodian’s office is located to order the custodian to follow the law. Federal courts have power to decide these matters, to enter orders, and to punish disobedience as contempt; final orders may be appealed under 28 U.S.C. 1291. Only a Commissioner, acting under a Commission resolution, may sign a subpoena or demand for information, and that signing power cannot be given to anyone else. These rules do not apply to certain other proceedings, such as those listed under section 45(b), section 11(b) of the Clayton Act, or other adjudicative proceedings, and they do not change the duties or powers of other federal agencies.
Full Legal Text
Title 15, §57b–1
Commerce and Trade, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Definitions
For purposes of this section: (1)
(2)The term “Commission investigation” means any inquiry conducted by a Commission investigator for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person is or has been engaged in any unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce (within the meaning of section 45(a)(1) of this title) or in any antitrust violations.
(3)The term “Commission investigator” means any attorney or investigator employed by the Commission who is charged with the duty of enforcing or carrying into effect any provisions relating to unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce (within the meaning of section 45(a)(1) of this title) or any provisions relating to antitrust violations.
(4)The term “custodian” means the custodian or any deputy custodian designated under section 57b–2(b)(2)(A) of this title.
(5)The term “documentary material” includes the original or any copy of any book, record, report, memorandum, paper, communication, tabulation, chart, or other document.
(6)The term “person” means any natural person, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, including any person acting under color or authority of State law.
(7)The term “violation” means any act or omission constituting an unfair or deceptive act or practice in or affecting commerce (within the meaning of section 45(a)(1) of this title) or any antitrust violation.
(8)The term “antitrust violation” means—
(A)any unfair method of competition (within the meaning of section 45(a)(1) of this title);
(B)any violation of the Clayton Act [15 U.S.C. 12 et seq.] or of any other Federal statute that prohibits, or makes available to the Commission a civil remedy with respect to, any restraint upon or monopolization of interstate or foreign trade or commerce;
(C)with respect to the International Antitrust Enforcement Assistance Act of 1994 [15 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.], any violation of any of the foreign antitrust laws (as defined in section 12 of such Act [15 U.S.C. 6211]) with respect to which a request is made under section 3 of such Act [15 U.S.C. 6202]; or
(D)any activity in preparation for a merger, acquisition, joint venture, or similar transaction, which if consummated, may result in any such unfair method of competition or in any such violation.
(b)Actions conducted by Commission respecting unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce
For the purpose of investigations performed pursuant to this section with respect to unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce (within the meaning of section 45(a)(1) of this title); all actions of the Commission taken under section 46 and section 49 of this title shall be conducted pursuant to subsection (c).
(c)Issuance of demand; contents; service; verified return; sworn certificate; answers; taking of oral testimony
(1)Whenever the Commission has reason to believe that any person may be in possession, custody, or control of any documentary material or tangible things, or may have any information, relevant to unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce (within the meaning of section 45(a)(1) of this title), or to antitrust violations, the Commission may, before the institution of any proceedings under this subchapter, issue in writing, and cause to be served upon such person, a civil investigative demand requiring such person to produce such documentary material for inspection and copying or reproduction, to submit such tangible things, to file written reports or answers to questions, to give oral testimony concerning documentary material or other information, or to furnish any combination of such material, answers, or testimony.
(2)Each civil investigative demand shall state the nature of the conduct constituting the alleged violation which is under investigation and the provision of law applicable to such violation.
(3)Each civil investigative demand for the production of documentary material shall—
(A)describe each class of documentary material to be produced under the demand with such definiteness and certainty as to permit such material to be fairly identified;
(B)prescribe a return date or dates which will provide a reasonable period of time within which the material so demanded may be assembled and made available for inspection and copying or reproduction; and
(C)identify the custodian to whom such material shall be made available.
(4)Each civil investigative demand for the submission of tangible things shall—
(A)describe each class of tangible things to be submitted under the demand with such definiteness and certainty as to permit such things to be fairly identified;
(B)prescribe a return date or dates which will provide a reasonable period of time within which the things so demanded may be assembled and submitted; and
(C)identify the custodian to whom such things shall be submitted.
(5)Each civil investigative demand for written reports or answers to questions shall—
(A)propound with definiteness and certainty the reports to be produced or the questions to be answered;
(B)prescribe a date or dates at which time written reports or answers to questions shall be submitted; and
(C)identify the custodian to whom such reports or answers shall be submitted.
(6)Each civil investigative demand for the giving of oral testimony shall—
(A)prescribe a date, time, and place at which oral testimony shall be commenced; and
(B)identify a Commission investigator who shall conduct the investigation and the custodian to whom the transcript of such investigation shall be submitted.
(7)(A)Any civil investigative demand may be served by any Commission investigator at any place within the territorial jurisdiction of any court of the United States.
(B)Any such demand or any enforcement petition filed under this section may be served upon any person who is not found within the territorial jurisdiction of any court of the United States, in such manner as the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure prescribe for service in a foreign nation.
(C)To the extent that the courts of the United States have authority to assert jurisdiction over such person consistent with due process, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia shall have the same jurisdiction to take any action respecting compliance with this section by such person that such district court would have if such person were personally within the jurisdiction of such district court.
(8)Service of any civil investigative demand or any enforcement petition filed under this section may be made upon a partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity by—
(A)delivering a duly executed copy of such demand or petition to any partner, executive officer, managing agent, or general agent of such partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, or to any agent of such partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process on behalf of such partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity;
(B)delivering a duly executed copy of such demand or petition to the principal office or place of business of the partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity to be served; or
(C)depositing a duly executed copy in the United States mails, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, duly addressed to such partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity at its principal office or place of business.
(9)Service of any civil investigative demand or of any enforcement petition filed under this section may be made upon any natural person by—
(A)delivering a duly executed copy of such demand or petition to the person to be served; or
(B)depositing a duly executed copy in the United States mails by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, duly addressed to such person at his residence or principal office or place of business.
(10)A verified return by the individual serving any civil investigative demand or any enforcement petition filed under this section setting forth the manner of such service shall be proof of such service. In the case of service by registered or certified mail, such return shall be accompanied by the return post office receipt of delivery of such demand or enforcement petition.
(11)The production of documentary material in response to a civil investigative demand shall be made under a sworn certificate, in such form as the demand designates, by the person, if a natural person, to whom the demand is directed or, if not a natural person, by any person having knowledge of the facts and circumstances relating to such production, to the effect that all of the documentary material required by the demand and in the possession, custody, or control of the person to whom the demand is directed has been produced and made available to the custodian.
(12)The submission of tangible things in response to a civil investigative demand shall be made under a sworn certificate, in such form as the demand designates, by the person to whom the demand is directed or, if not a natural person, by any person having knowledge of the facts and circumstances relating to such production, to the effect that all of the tangible things required by the demand and in the possession, custody, or control of the person to whom the demand is directed have been submitted to the custodian.
(13)Each reporting requirement or question in a civil investigative demand shall be answered separately and fully in writing under oath, unless it is objected to, in which event the reasons for the objection shall be stated in lieu of an answer, and it shall be submitted under a sworn certificate, in such form as the demand designates, by the person, if a natural person, to whom the demand is directed or, if not a natural person, by any person responsible for answering each reporting requirement or question, to the effect that all information required by the demand and in the possession, custody, control, or knowledge of the person to whom the demand is directed has been submitted.
(14)(A)Any Commission investigator before whom oral testimony is to be taken shall put the witness on oath or affirmation and shall personally, or by any individual acting under his direction and in his presence, record the testimony of the witness. The testimony shall be taken stenographically and transcribed. After the testimony is fully transcribed, the Commission investigator before whom the testimony is taken shall promptly transmit a copy of the transcript of the testimony to the custodian.
(B)Any Commission investigator before whom oral testimony is to be taken shall exclude from the place where the testimony is to be taken all other persons except the person giving the testimony, his attorney, the officer before whom the testimony is to be taken, and any stenographer taking such testimony.
(C)The oral testimony of any person taken pursuant to a civil investigative demand shall be taken in the judicial district of the United States in which such person resides, is found, or transacts business, or in such other place as may be agreed upon by the Commission investigator before whom the oral testimony of such person is to be taken and such person.
(D)(i)Any person compelled to appear under a civil investigative demand for oral testimony pursuant to this section may be accompanied, represented, and advised by an attorney. The attorney may advise such person, in confidence, either upon the request of such person or upon the initiative of the attorney, with respect to any question asked of such person.
(ii)Such person or attorney may object on the record to any question, in whole or in part, and shall briefly state for the record the reason for the objection. An objection may properly be made, received, and entered upon the record when it is claimed that such person is entitled to refuse to answer the question on grounds of any constitutional or other legal right or privilege, including the privilege against self-incrimination. Such person shall not otherwise object to or refuse to answer any question, and shall not himself or through his attorney otherwise interrupt the oral examination. If such person refuses to answer any question, the Commission may petition the district court of the United States pursuant to this section for an order compelling such person to answer such question.
(iii)If such person refuses to answer any question on grounds of the privilege against self-incrimination, the testimony of such person may be compelled in accordance with the provisions of section 6004 of title 18.
(E)(i)After the testimony of any witness is fully transcribed, the Commission investigator shall afford the witness (who may be accompanied by an attorney) a reasonable opportunity to examine the transcript. The transcript shall be read to or by the witness, unless such examination and reading are waived by the witness. Any changes in form or substance which the witness desires to make shall be entered and identified upon the transcript by the Commission investigator with a statement of the reasons given by the witness for making such changes. The transcript shall then be signed by the witness, unless the witness in writing waives the signing, is ill, cannot be found, or refuses to sign.
(ii)If the transcript is not signed by the witness during the 30-day period following the date upon which the witness is first afforded a reasonable opportunity to examine it, the Commission investigator shall sign the transcript and state on the record the fact of the waiver, illness, absence of the witness, or the refusal to sign, together with any reasons given for the failure to sign.
(F)The Commission investigator shall certify on the transcript that the witness was duly sworn by him and that the transcript is a true record of the testimony given by the witness, and the Commission investigator shall promptly deliver the transcript or send it by registered or certified mail to the custodian.
(G)The Commission investigator shall furnish a copy of the transcript (upon payment of reasonable charges for the transcription) to the witness only, except that the Commission may for good cause limit such witness to inspection of the official transcript of his testimony.
(H)Any witness appearing for the taking of oral testimony pursuant to a civil investigative demand shall be entitled to the same fees and mileage which are paid to witnesses in the district courts of the United States.
(d)Procedures for demand material
Materials received as a result of a civil investigative demand shall be subject to the procedures established in section 57b–2 of this title.
(e)Petition for enforcement
Whenever any person fails to comply with any civil investigative demand duly served upon him under this section, or whenever satisfactory copying or reproduction of material requested pursuant to the demand cannot be accomplished and such person refuses to surrender such material, the Commission, through such officers or attorneys as it may designate, may file, in the district court of the United States for any judicial district in which such person resides, is found, or transacts business, and serve upon such person, a petition for an order of such court for the enforcement of this section. All process of any court to which application may be made as provided in this subsection may be served in any judicial district.
(f)Petition for order modifying or setting aside demand (g) Custodial control of documentary material, tangible things, reports, etc.
(1)Not later than 20 days after the service of any civil investigative demand upon any person under subsection (c), or at any time before the return date specified in the demand, whichever period is shorter, or within such period exceeding 20 days after service or in excess of such return date as may be prescribed in writing, subsequent to service, by any Commission investigator named in the demand, such person may file with the Commission a petition for an order by the Commission modifying or setting aside the demand.
(2)The time permitted for compliance with the demand in whole or in part, as deemed proper and ordered by the Commission, shall not run during the pendency of such petition at the Commission, except that such person shall comply with any portions of the demand not sought to be modified or set aside. Such petition shall specify each ground upon which the petitioner relies in seeking such relief, and may be based upon any failure of the demand to comply with the provisions of this section, or upon any constitutional or other legal right or privilege of such person.
(h)Jurisdiction of court
Whenever any petition is filed in any district court of the United States under this section, such court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter so presented, and to enter such order or orders as may be required to carry into effect the provisions of this section. Any final order so entered shall be subject to appeal pursuant to section 1291 of title 28. Any disobedience of any final order entered under this section by any court shall be punished as a contempt of such court.
(i)Commission authority to issue subpoenas or make demand for information
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commission shall have no authority to issue a subpoena or make a demand for information, under authority of this subchapter or any other provision of law, unless such subpoena or demand for information is signed by a Commissioner acting pursuant to a Commission resolution. The Commission shall not delegate the power conferred by this section to sign subpoenas or demands for information to any other person.
(j)Applicability of this section
The provisions of this section shall not—
(1)apply to any proceeding under section 45(b) of this title, any proceeding under section 11(b) of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 21(b)), or any adjudicative proceeding under any other provision of law; or
(2)apply to or affect the jurisdiction, duties, or powers of any agency of the Federal Government, other than the Commission, regardless of whether such jurisdiction, duties, or powers are derived in whole or in part, by reference to this subchapter.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Clayton Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(8)(B), is act Oct. 15, 1914, ch. 323, 38 Stat. 730, which is classified generally to section 12, 13, 14 to 19, 21, and 22 to 27 of this title, and section 52 and 53 of Title 29, Labor. For further details and complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
References in Text
note set out under section 12 of this title and Tables. The International Antitrust
Enforcement
Assistance Act of 1994, referred to in subsec. (a)(8)(C), is Pub. L. 103–438, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4597, which is classified principally to chapter 88 (§ 6201 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 6201 of this title and Tables.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 20 of act Sept. 26, 1914, ch. 311, was renumbered section 24 and is classified to section 57c of this title.
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 103–312, § 7(a)(1), inserted before period at end “or in any antitrust violations”. Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 103–312, § 7(a)(2), inserted before period at end “or any provisions relating to antitrust violations”. Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 103–312, § 7(a)(3), inserted before period at end “or any antitrust violation”. Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 103–438 amended par. (8) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (8) read as follows: “The term ‘antitrust violation’ means any unfair method of competition (within the meaning of section 45(a)(1) of this title), any violation of the Clayton Act, any violation of any other Federal statute that prohibits, or makes available to the Commission a civil remedy with respect to, any restraint upon or monopolization of interstate or foreign trade or commerce, or any activity in preparation for a merger, acquisition, joint venture, or similar transaction, which if consummated, may result in such an unfair method of competition or violation.” Pub. L. 103–312, § 7(a)(4), added par. (8). Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 103–312, § 7(b)(1), inserted “or tangible things” after “control of any documentary material”, “or to antitrust violations,” after “section 45(a)(1) of this title),”, and “to submit such tangible things,” after “copying or reproduction,”. Subsec. (c)(4) to (14). Pub. L. 103–312, § 7(b)(2), added pars. (4) and (12) and redesignated former pars. (4) to (10), (11), and (12) as (5) to (11), (13), and (14), respectively. Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 103–312, § 7(c), inserted “, tangible things” after “documentary material”. Subsec. (j)(1). Pub. L. 103–312, § 7(d), inserted before semicolon at end “, any proceeding under section 11(b) of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 21(b)), or any adjudicative proceeding under any other provision of law”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1994 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 103–312 applicable only with respect to compulsory process issued after Aug. 26, 1994, see section 15(d) of Pub. L. 103–312, set out as a note under section 45 of this title.
Effective Date
Section effective May 28, 1980, see section 23 of Pub. L. 96–252, set out as an
Effective Date
of 1980 Amendment note under section 45 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
15 U.S.C. § 57b–1
Title 15, Commerce and Trade
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110