FTC rules against Marvel figurine fixed pricing

Fans of the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films could see prices lowered for figurines of their favorite characters after the antitrust regulator told figurine manufacturer Hot Toys to amend its pricing agreements with retailers.

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said Thursday that it found Hot Toys had forced retailers to maintain pricing of its popular products to levels no lower than those suggested by the toymaker.

After reviewing online retail prices of the figurines made by the Hong Kong-based company, the corporate regulator found that products sold by different retailers had identical prices.

The FTC has ordered the company, which makes high-end figurines of characters from the MCU, such as Iron Man and Captain America, to halt such pricing enforcement.

“Businesses will be able to determine prices through competition in the online distribution process of the figurines,” said the FTC in a statement. “Consumers will be able to buy products after comparing different prices.”

By Chae Yun-hwan