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products and to impose fines on violators. For information or to reportunsafe products, you can telephone its hot line at 1-800-638-CPSC.Better Business BureauThe Better Business Bureau (BBB) is an example of a nongovernmentagency that hears consumer complaints at the local and state levels.It also tries to steer consumers to reliable businesses. The BBB’s missionis to promote highly ethical relationships between businesses andthe public. It pursues this goal through voluntary self-regulation, consumerand business education, and service excellence. Some servicesthat the BBB provides include the following:l Providing information on a business’s past dealings with peoplel Helping resolve complaints by such methods as conciliation,mediation, and arbitrationl Providing information on charitable organizations that solicitdonations from the publicl Publishing a wide variety of consumer publications, videos, andInternet advisoriesl Alerting businesses, consumers, and law enforcement agenciesabout current marketplace scams and fraudsl Providing Internet reliability and privacy “Trustmark” seals toinform consumers that a Web site meets specific standardsComputerTechnologyThe development ofcomputer technologieshas had a tremendousimpact on nearly everyfield of study. It’s crucialfor lawyers to be aware ofhow new technologiesaffect their profession.Many state barassociations offertechnology-relatedresources to attorneyspracticing in the state.Research ActivityResearch what the barassociation in your stateis doing to educateattorneys about computertechnology and the law.Reviewing What You Learned1. What is the difference between productliability and strict liability?2. What is the purpose of the ConsumerProduct Safety Act?3. What prohibitions are contained in the Food,Drug, and Cosmetic Act?4. Research cases of appropriate agencies.Critical Thinking ActivityConsumer Protection Agencies Using theInternet, library, or other resource, researchcases involving consumer protection laws andpresent cases of appropriate consumer agencies.Legal Skills in ActionConsumer Protection Laws In this section,you learned about several important consumerprotection laws. Now imagine situations inwhich these laws may apply. Next, researchthree to four actual cases by using the Internet,the library, or other resource. In each case,identify the facts, the issue that the court needsto decide, the basis of the court’s decision, andthe consumer protection laws involved. Thenpresent cases of appropriate consumerprotection laws to the class in a brief oral report.Chapter 15: Consumer Protection and Product Liability 331