Promoter of alternative therapy devices gives undertakings

Consumers misled by claims about alternative health therapy devices will receive refunds after Australian Competition and Consumer Commission action.

Listen Systems Pty Ltd and its director Mr Stephen John Alexander have given undertakings to the Federal Court of Australia.

Listen Systems Pty Ltd markets alternative therapy systems known as the 'EQ4 Quick Check' and the 'EQ4 Computerised Electrodermal Screening'. Representations published on the Internet at http://www.listensystem.com.au included:

• that these systems test a particular energy point and find an appropriate remedial strategy by scanning over 40,000 items stored in their 'virtual inventory';
• that Computerised Electrodermal Screening can measure allergic reactions to samples of specific food, pollens and other substances; and
• that these systems can imprint appropriate frequencies to create individually designed isopathic remedies;

Listen Systems Pty Ltd has given undertakings to the Federal Court that it:

• will not make representations including those set out above; will provide refunds until 30 June 2000 to persons who may have been misled into purchasing the 'EQ4 Quick Check' and the 'EQ4 Computerised Electrodermal Screening' system; and
•  will display a corrective advertisement at the Internet site which had contained the representations.

Listen System Pty Ltd's director Mr Alexander also gave an undertaking not to aid or abet or be directly or indirectly knowingly concerned in the publication of advertisements or promotional material containing representations concerning the EQ4 Quick Check and the EQ4 Computerised Electrodermal Screening systems, as set out above. Mr Alexander also gave an undertaking to attend a trade practices seminar to ensure future compliance with Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974.

"The ACCC is concerned about the significant number of misleading or deceptive claims made being made about miracle, 'quick fix' product and so on in the health area", ACCC Chairman, Professor Allan Fels, said today.