Case: Newsguard Technologies v. Federal Trade Commission

News guard Technologies, Inc. v. Federal Trade Commission

COMPLAINT against All Plaintiffs with Jury Demand ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-12228952) filed by NewsGuard. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons)(Corn-Revere, Robert) (Attachment 1 replaced on 2/6/2026) (zhcn). (Entered: 02/06/2026)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Summons

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3 Summons

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4 Summons

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5 Summons

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NOTICE of Appearance by Robert Corn-Revere on behalf of NewsGuard (Corn-Revere, Robert) (Entered: 02/06/2026)

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by NewsGuard (Corn-Revere, Robert) (Entered: 02/06/2026)

SUMMONS (4) Issued Electronically as to FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ANDREW FERGUSON, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zhcn) (Entered: 02/06/2026)

LARGE ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENT(S) by NEWSGUARD TECHNOLOGIES 1 Complaint, filed by NEWSGUARD TECHNOLOGIES. (Corn-Revere, Robert) (Entered: 02/06/2026)

STANDARD ORDER for Civil Cases. See text for details. Signed by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on February 6, 2026. (lcdlf1) (Entered: 02/06/2026)

Case Assigned/Reassigned

.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

Case Assigned to Judge Dabney L. Friedrich. (zhcn)

MINUTE ORDER. The plaintiff's 1 Complaint requests that the Court (1) "[p]reliminarily enjoin the FTC, Chairman Ferguson, his officers, agents, servants, and employees from initiating any action to enforce the CID in violation of Plaintiff's constitutional rights"; and (2) "[p]reliminarily enjoin the FTC, Chairman Ferguson, his officers, agents, servants, and employees from initiating any action to enforce the Omnicom-IPG merger condition in violation of Plaintiff's constitutional rights." Compl. 50, Dkt. 1. The Court directs the plaintiff to Local Rule 65.1, which provides that "[a]n application for a preliminary injunction shall be made in a document separate from the complaint." LCvR 65.1(c).Accordingly, it is ORDERED that, to the extent the plaintiff seeks preliminary relief, the plaintiff shall file a motion for such relief on or before February 11, 2026. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on February 6, 2026. (lcdlf1)

NOTICE of Appearance by Ethan D. Beck on behalf of All Defendants (Beck, Ethan) (Entered: 02/11/2026)

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply to Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction by FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ANDREW FERGUSON. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Beck, Ethan) (Entered: 02/11/2026)

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION served on 2/10/2026 (Corn-Revere, Robert) (Entered: 02/11/2026)

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. ANDREW FERGUSON served on 2/10/2026 (Corn-Revere, Robert) (Entered: 02/11/2026)

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by NEWSGUARD TECHNOLOGIES. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction, # 2 Declaration Declaration of Matthew Skibinski in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction, # 3 Exhibit Wall Street Journal Nutrition Label from NewsGuard, # 4 Exhibit Newsmax Nutrition Label from NewsGuard, # 5 Exhibit Will Oremus & Naomi Nix article for The Washington Post - This Company Rates News Sites Credibility. The Right Wants It Stopped., # 6 Exhibit Ted Johnson article for Deadline - Attacking the Watchdog: How Media Rating Site NewsGuard Ended Up as a Target for GOP Lawmakers and Regulators, # 7 Exhibit Andrew Ferguson X Post #1, # 8 Exhibit Andrew Ferguson X Post #2, # 9 Exhibit Andrew Ferguson Appearance on "Bannons WarRoom," Show Clip, # 10 Exhibit Letter from FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, # 11 Exhibit Concurring Statement from FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson re: FTC v. 1661, Inc. d/b/a GOAT, # 12 Exhibit FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson Overview for FTC Chairman, # 13 Exhibit NewsGuard Statement in Response to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr Letter, # 14 Exhibit FTC Request for Public Comment Regarding Technology Platform Censorship, # 15 Exhibit Transcript of Andrew Ferguson Appearance on ProMarket Podcast, # 16 Exhibit Brendan Carr X Post, # 17 Exhibit FTC Civil Investigative Demand Against NewsGuard, # 18 Exhibit NewsGuard Civil Investigative Demand Modification Letter from FTC, # 19 Exhibit FTC Announcement of Proposed Consent Order and that the FTC "Prevents Anticompetitive Coordination in Global Advertising Merger", # 20 Exhibit Statement from FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson "In the Matter of Omnicom Group / The Interpublic Group of Cos.", # 21 Exhibit Newsmax Article Criticizing NewsGuard "Bias" and Omnicom/IPG Merger, # 22 Exhibit Newsmax Public Comment re: "Omnicom Group Inc. and The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.", # 23 Exhibit Newsmax Article Critiquing Omnicom/IPG Merger, # 24 Exhibit Newsmax X Post Opposing FTC Approval of Omnicom/IPG Merger, # 25 Exhibit FTC Final Consent Order for Omnicom/IPG Merger, # 26 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting PI - NewsGuard v. FTC)(Corn-Revere, Robert) (Entered: 02/11/2026)

1 Memorandum in Support Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Preli

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2 Declaration Declaration of Matthew Skibinski in Support of Plaintiff's Moti

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3 Exhibit Wall Street Journal Nutrition Label from NewsGuard

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4 Exhibit Newsmax Nutrition Label from NewsGuard

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5 Exhibit Will Oremus & Naomi Nix article for The Washington Post - This Company R

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6 Exhibit Ted Johnson article for Deadline - Attacking the Watchdog: How Media Rat

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7 Exhibit Andrew Ferguson X Post #1

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8 Exhibit Andrew Ferguson X Post #2

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9 Exhibit Andrew Ferguson Appearance on "Bannons WarRoom," Show Clip

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10 Exhibit Letter from FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr

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11 Exhibit Concurring Statement from FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson re: FTC v. 1661,

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12 Exhibit FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson Overview for FTC Chairman

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13 Exhibit NewsGuard Statement in Response to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr Letter

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14 Exhibit FTC Request for Public Comment Regarding Technology Platform Censorship

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15 Exhibit Transcript of Andrew Ferguson Appearance on ProMarket Podcast

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16 Exhibit Brendan Carr X Post

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17 Exhibit FTC Civil Investigative Demand Against NewsGuard

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18 Exhibit NewsGuard Civil Investigative Demand Modification Letter from FTC

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19 Exhibit FTC Announcement of Proposed Consent Order and that the FTC "Preven

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20 Exhibit Statement from FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson "In the Matter of Omnic

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21 Exhibit Newsmax Article Criticizing NewsGuard "Bias" and Omnicom/IPG M

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22 Exhibit Newsmax Public Comment re: "Omnicom Group Inc. and The Interpublic

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23 Exhibit Newsmax Article Critiquing Omnicom/IPG Merger

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24 Exhibit Newsmax X Post Opposing FTC Approval of Omnicom/IPG Merger

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25 Exhibit FTC Final Consent Order for Omnicom/IPG Merger

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26 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting PI - NewsGuard v. FTC

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NOTICE of Appearance by H. Thomas Byron, III on behalf of All Defendants (Byron, H.) (Entered: 02/12/2026)

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 2/12/2026. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 4/13/2026. (Corn-Revere, Robert) (Entered: 02/12/2026)

Notice of Hearing

NOTICE of Hearing: The parties are to appear for a Telephonic Scheduling Conference at 12:00 PM on February 13, 2026 before Judge Dabney L. Friedrich, to discuss the briefing schedule for the plaintiff's 11 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. (smc)

RESPONSE re 8 MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply to Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed by NEWSGUARD TECHNOLOGIES. (Corn-Revere, Robert) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Alex Potapov on behalf of FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ANDREW FERGUSON (Potapov, Alex) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Samuel Rudovsky, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12243959. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by NEWSGUARD TECHNOLOGIES. (Corn-Revere, Robert) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

ERRATA by NEWSGUARD TECHNOLOGIES re 16 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. (Corn-Revere, Robert) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

Scheduling Conference AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings

.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines

Notice of Error

Minute Entry for Telephonic Scheduling Conference held on 2/13/2026 before Judge Dabney L. Friedrich: Joint Status Report due by 5pm on 2/16/2026. Defendant's Opposition due by Noon on 2/23/2026. Plaintiff's Reply due by Noon on 2/27/2026. Motion Hearing set for 3/4/2026 at 2:00 PM in Courtroom 24A (In Person) before Judge Dabney L. Friedrich. Court Reporter: Sara Wick. (smc)

MINUTE ORDER. In accordance with today's telephonic scheduling conference, a hearing on the plaintiff's 11 Motion for Preliminary Injunction is scheduled for 2 p.m. on March 4, 2026, in Courtroom 24A. It is further ORDERED that the following schedule shall govern further proceedings: the defendants shall file an opposition to the plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction at or before 12 p.m. on February 23, 2026; and the plaintiff shall file any reply at or before 12 p.m. on February 27, 2026. Finally, it is ORDERED that, at or before 5 p.m. on February 16, 2026, the parties shall file a joint status report indicating whether the parties consent to and propose an alternative briefing and hearing schedule. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on February 13, 2026. (lcdlf1)

NOTICE OF ERROR regarding 16 MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Samuel Rudovsky, 17 Errata. The following error(s) need correction: No Motion included. Motion compliant with LCvR 83.2 and signed by the sponsoring attorney is required. Also, Pro Hac Vice motion must be accompanied by a Certificate of Good Standing issued within the last 30 days (LCvR 83.2(c)(2)). Please file file both documents as an Errata. (znmw)

Joint STATUS REPORT by NEWSGUARD TECHNOLOGIES. (Corn-Revere, Robert) (Entered: 02/15/2026)

ERRATA by NEWSGUARD TECHNOLOGIES re 16 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. (Attachments: # 1 Errata Revised Declaration of Samuel Rudovsky for PHV Admission, # 2 Errata Updated Certificate of Good Standing for Samuel Rudovsky)(Corn-Revere, Robert) (Entered: 02/20/2026)

1 Errata Revised Declaration of Samuel Rudovsky for PHV Admission

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2 Errata Updated Certificate of Good Standing for Samuel Rudovsky

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Memorandum in opposition to re 11 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ANDREW FERGUSON. (Beck, Ethan) (Entered: 02/23/2026)

REPLY to opposition to motion re 11 Motion for Preliminary Injunction,,,,,,,,, filed by NEWSGUARD TECHNOLOGIES. (Corn-Revere, Robert) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

Second MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Samuel Rudovsky, Fee Status: No Fee Paid. by NEWSGUARD TECHNOLOGIES. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Samuel Rudovsky, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing)(Corn-Revere, Robert) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

MINUTE ORDER denying the plaintiff's 16 19 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Although the declaration of the non-member attorney lists a business address located in the District of Columbia, the declarant has not completed questions 8 and 9 of the declaration. See LCvR 83.2(c)(2) (stating that, if the declarant "engages in the practice of law from any office located in the District of Columbia," the declaration must set forth whether the attorney "is a member of the District of Columbia Bar or has an application for membership pending"). The plaintiff may file a new motion accompanied by a revised declaration and the required certificate of good standing. The plaintiff need not re-pay the $100 fee. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on February 27, 2026. (lcdlf1)

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- James C. Grant, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12277463. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by NEWSGUARD TECHNOLOGIES. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Declaration of James C. Grant, # 2 Supplement Certificate of Good Standing)(Corn-Revere, Robert) (Attachment 1 replaced on 3/4/2026) (znmw). (Entered: 03/03/2026)

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

MINUTE ORDER granting the plaintiff's 22 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on March 3, 2026. (lcdlf1)

NOTICE of Appearance by Samuel Rudovsky on behalf of NEWSGUARD TECHNOLOGIES (Rudovsky, Samuel) (Main Document 24 replaced on 3/5/2026) (znmw). (Entered: 03/04/2026)

NOTICE of Appearance by Robert E. Zuver, Jr on behalf of All Defendants (Zuver, Robert) (Main Document 25 replaced on 3/5/2026) (znmw). (Entered: 03/04/2026)

.Order

MINUTE ORDER: The court will provide access for the public to telephonically attend the hearing scheduled for today, March 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The hearing can be accessed by dialing the Toll-Free Number: 833-990-9400 (Meeting ID: 117076001). It is hereby ORDERED that the attendees using the public access telephone line shall adhere to the following: persons remotely accessing court proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting any court proceedings (including those held by telephone or videoconference). Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court-issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the presiding Judge. The public is advised that in the event of technical issues, the public line will be terminated and will not be restored. Given that Court will be actively in session, listeners should not contact chambers should that occur. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on March 4, 2026 (smc)

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Motion Hearing

MINUTE ORDER granting the plaintiff's 23 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a). Click for instructions. So Ordered by Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on March 4, 2026. (lcdlf1)

Minute Entry for Motion Hearing held on 3/4/2026 before Judge Dabney L. Friedrich: re 11 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction. Oral arguments heard and TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT. Court Reporter: Sara Wick. (smc)

NOTICE of the Commission's Order regarding the Petition to Quash by FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ANDREW FERGUSON (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Commission Order, # 2 Exhibit B - Petition to Quash)(Beck, Ethan) (Entered: 03/06/2026)

1 Exhibit A - Commission Order

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2 Exhibit B - Petition to Quash

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Transcript

Notice of Appearance

Extension of Time to File Answer

1 Text of Proposed Order

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Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Notice of Supplemental Authority

Response to (non-motion) Document