Federal Trade Commission v. Universal-Rundle Corp.
United States Supreme Court
387 U.S. 244 (1967)
Universal-Rundle (defendant) sold plumbing fixtures at different prices to different customers, lessening competition. The FTC (plaintiff) ordered it to cease and desist. Universal-Rundle asked the FTC to stay the order pending an industry-wide investigation of similar discounting by competitors, submitting evidence that competitors offered similar discounts and that it would suffer financially if singled out. The FTC denied the stay, finding the evidence too general. The Seventh Circuit set aside that denial, holding the FTC abused its discretion, and the Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Whether it is within a federal court of appeals' authority to modify ancillary features of a valid FTC order absent a showing of abuse of discretion by the FTC.