The Ferengi Commerce Authority (also known as the FCA) was an agency of the Ferengi government charged with overseeing business practices and the enforcement of Ferengi Trade By-Laws (including the Ferengi Bill of Opportunities) in the Ferengi Alliance. Under this authority, the FCA had the ability to dispense or revoke the rights of any Ferengi to conduct business under the Trade By-Laws. Ferengi who refused to follow these rules could be barred from trade with other Ferengi, or anyone seeking to do business with the Alliance. (DS9: "Body Parts", "Profit and Lace")
The FCA could sell Ferengi females found to have earned profit into indentured servitude as punishment. Additionally, withholding financial records from the FCA could result in heavy fines. (DS9: "Family Business")
It was not allowed for a Ferengi to discuss or take part in any form of a union. The FCA pursued such Ferengi relentlessly. (DS9: "Bar Association")
To ask a question of the receptionist at their offices cost one slip of latinum. To sit down in a chair cost three slips, and to stand cost one slip, though it was possible to negotiate the price of a seat down to two slips. (DS9: "Family Business")
The FCA was governed by a Board of Liquidators that had the power to confirm or reject the appointment of a new Grand Nagus. (DS9: "Profit and Lace")
Decisions of the FCA could be overruled by the Grand Nagus, such as in matters of business license revocation. (DS9: "Ferengi Love Songs")
Agents of the FCA were known as liquidators, and were commonly feared by traditional Ferengi. (DS9: "Bar Association") Brunt was a particularly ambitious liquidator, who nearly managed to get himself appointed as the new Grand Nagus in 2373, and again in 2374. (DS9: "Ferengi Love Songs", "Profit and Lace")
The FCA's authority extended even beyond the Ferengi Alliance, and its rules governed Ferengi anywhere in the galaxy. (DS9: "Bar Association")
External link
- Ferengi Commerce Authority at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works