(a) “Board of Governors” definedFor purposes of this section, the term “Board of Governors’ means the Board of Governors” of the Federal Reserve System.
(b) Use as defenseNotwithstanding any other provision of law, if—(1) any person, partnership, or corporation engages in any conduct or practice which allegedly constitutes a violation of any Federal law with respect to which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has rulemaking authority; and
(2) such person, partnership, or corporation engaged in such conduct or practice in good faith reliance upon, and in conformity with, any rule, regulation, statement of interpretation, or statement of approval prescribed or issued by the Board of Governors under such Federal law;
then such good faith reliance shall constitute a defense in any administrative or judicial proceeding commenced against such person, partnership, or corporation by the Commission under this subchapter or in any administrative or judicial proceeding commenced against such person, partnership, or corporation by the Attorney General of the United States, upon request made by the Commission, under any provision of law.
(c) Applicability of subsection (b)The provisions of subsection (b) shall apply regardless of whether any rule, regulation, statement of interpretation, or statement of approval prescribed or issued by the Board of Governors is amended, rescinded, or held to be invalid by judicial authority or any other authority after a person, partnership, or corporation has engaged in any conduct or practice in good faith reliance upon, and in conformity with, such rule, regulation, statement of interpretation, or statement of approval.
(d) Request for issuance of statement or interpretation concerning conduct or practiceIf, in any case in which—(1) the Board of Governors has rulemaking authority with respect to any Federal law; and
(2) the Commission is authorized to enforce the requirements of such Federal law;
any person, partnership, or corporation submits a request to the Board of Governors for the issuance of any statement of interpretation or statement of approval relating to any conduct or practice of such person, partnership, or corporation which may be subject to the requirements of such Federal law, then the Board of Governors shall dispose of such request as soon as practicable after the receipt of such request.
Structure US Code
SUBCHAPTER I— FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
§ 41. Federal Trade Commission established; membership; vacancies; seal
§ 43. Office and place of meeting
§ 45. Unfair methods of competition unlawful; prevention by Commission
§ 45b. Consumer review protection
§ 45e. Office for the prevention of fraud targeting seniors
§ 46. Additional powers of Commission
§ 46a. Concurrent resolution essential to authorize investigations
§ 47. Reference of suits under antitrust statutes to Commission
§ 48. Information and assistance from departments
§ 49. Documentary evidence; depositions; witnesses
§ 51. Effect on other statutory provisions
§ 52. Dissemination of false advertisements
§ 53. False advertisements; injunctions and restraining orders
§ 54. False advertisements; penalties
§ 57a. Unfair or deceptive acts or practices rulemaking proceedings
§ 57b–1. Civil investigative demands
§ 57b–2a. Confidentiality and delayed notice of compulsory process for certain third parties
§ 57b–2b. Protection for voluntary provision of information
§ 57b–4. Good faith reliance on actions of Board of Governors
§ 57b–5. Agricultural cooperatives
§ 57c. Authorization of appropriations