America Online, the Internet service provider, has bought the rival CompuServe for around $1.2 billion. The move, which will create a huge power in Internet access provision, is likely to be investigated by industry regulators both in Europe and the US.AOL, which is strongest in America, has around 9 million subscribers while the more European-centred… Continue reading AOL Snaps Up Compuserve
The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) has prepared draft revisions for the 8th edition of its code of practice. For copies of the revisions contact ICSTIS Telephone (44 171) 240 5511, fax (44 171) 379 4611. Comments must be received by 10 October 1997.
The EP Committee on Women’s Rights has adopted reports by MEPs Ms Marie-Paule Kestelijn-Sierens (referring to the EC’s 1996 annual report on equal opportunities) and Ms Marlene Lenz (on discrimination against women in advertising). In the first report the committee criticised the annual report for being insufficiently analytical, called on the EC to take initiatives… Continue reading EU: EP Adopts Reports On Discrimination
Channel 4 has announced its Autumn line-up, which features three major drama series – A Dance to the Music of Time, Bombay Blue and Underworld – together with new comedy and documentary series. Robbie Coltrane also stars in a factual series indulging his secret passion for engines in Coltrane’s Planes and Automobiles. The season’s budget… Continue reading C4 Launches Autumn Schedule
The Independent Television Commission (ITC)has approved changes to its Rules on Advertising Breaks that will enable cable, satellite and new digital channels to carry additional teleshopping advertising and open the way to the licensing of self-promotional channels. The changes, which have immediate effect, reflect some of the provisions of the revised EU TWF Directive.
The Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in the European Parliament has appointed Mr John Stevens (UK, EPP) as its Draftsman for a report on Electronic Commerce in the EU. First discussions on this report are expected to take place during the Committee’s meetings in October with the finished opinion being brought before the full Parliament… Continue reading EU: EP Considers Electronic Commerce
The Food & Drug Administration in the US has issued new guidelines for the TV advertising of prescription-only drugs. The ads must contain additional information, specifically that professionals may provide further details, a toll-free number to contact, reference to print ads, and also to a web site. The new rules are aimed at reducing consumer… Continue reading US: New Rules Come Into Force
At its Council Meeting last week, the IPA elected Unity Three Ltd and Willoz Holmes & Law Ltd into membership. This brings the total number of agencies in the IPA to 211.IPA: 0171 235 7020
European Commission officials are reported to be in favour of accepting a key proposal of the European Parliament to include consumer and advertising industry representative’s on the ‘proportionality committee’, charged with assessing whether national restrictions on commercial communications constitute illegal barriers to trade. The original idea was to limit the committee’s composition to representatives of… Continue reading EU: Committee To Include Consumers
The UK Medicines Control Agency (MCA) has proposed a major extension of its own powers in relation to pharmaceuticals advertising. It states in its consultation letter (MLX/239 of 21 August 1997) that “certain parts of the [existing advertising] legislation are being misinterpreted by industry and, therefore, require revision”.The proposed revisions are highly controversial since they… Continue reading UK: MCA Proposes New Ad Controls
