May 26, 2017
Following a public comment period, the FTC has approved a final order and consent agreement in which the American Guild of Organists agreed to eliminate rules that restrict its members from competing for opportunities to perform. Announced in March 2017, the agreement between the FTC and the American Guild of Organists resolves the agency’s complaint that the guild’s rules restrained competition and harmed consumers in violation of the FTC Act. Under the guild’s code of ethics, if a consumer wished to have someone other than an “incumbent musician” play at a venue for a wedding, funeral or other service, the consumer was required to pay both the incumbent and the consumer’s chosen musician. The guild also developed and publicized compensation schedules and formulas, and instructed its chapters and members to develop and use regionally applicable versions to determine charges for their services. FTC