Competition Bureau Launches ID-ROM on Multi-Level Marketing and Pyramid Selling

OTTAWA, June 4, 2001 — The Competition Bureau today launched Multi-level Marketing and the Competition Act, an animated multimedia tool designed to inform Canadian businesses and consumers about the multi-level marketing and pyramid selling provisions of the Competition Act.

Available in both ID-ROM and Web-based formats, the animated presentation depicts the story of a Canadian entrepreneur as she learns how to operate a legitimate multi-level marketing business which conforms with the law. Competition Bureau staff unveiled the multimedia tool during a presentation earlier today at the Direct Sellers Association conference in Quebec city.

"This is a valuable tool aimed at helping small business and consumers understand their rights and obligations under the law," said Raymond Pierce, Acting Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau's Fair Business Practices Branch. "With the release of this product, the Bureau continues to bring Canadian businesses and consumers to within a mouse-click of its guidelines."

The Competition Bureau began developing the presentation in September 2000 after identifying a need in the marketplace for a multimedia guide that could build greater awareness and conformity with the law. Bureau staff will distribute the ID-ROM, which is a CD-ROM the size of a business card, at trade meetings and conferences. The Web version is now available on the Bureau's Internet site at www.competitionbureau.gc.ca.

For general information on the Competition Act or to obtain an ID-ROM copy of Multi-level Marketing and the Competition Act, please call the Bureau's Information Centre at 819-997-4282 or Toll-Free at 1-800-348-5358 or visit our Web site at: www.competitionbureau.gc.ca.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that promotes and maintains fair competition so that all Canadians can benefit from competitive prices, product choice and quality service. It oversees the application of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act.

Media enquiries, please contact:

Eric Glaude
Communications Directorate
Competition Bureau
819-994-0349