[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3946-3947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1659]


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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

[File No. 9923019]


Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc.; Analysis To Aid Public 
Comment

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Proposed consent agreement.

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SUMMARY: The consent agreement in this matter settles alleged 
violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or 
practices or unfair methods of competition. The attached Analysis to 
Aid Public Comment describes both the allegations in the draft 
complaint that accompanies the consent agreement and the terms of the 
consent order--embodied in the consent agreement--that would settle 
these allegations.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 29, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to: FTC/Office of the Secretary, 
Room 159, 600 Pa. Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine Kolish or Laura Koss, FTC/S-
4302, 601 Pa. Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580, (202) 326-3042 or 
326-2890.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Section 6(f) of the Federal 
Trade Commission Act, 38 Stat. 721, 15 U.S.C. 46 and Section 2.34 of 
the Commission's Rules of Practice (16 CFR 2.34), notice is hereby 
given that the above-captioned consent agreement containing a consent 
order to cease and desist, having been filed with and accepted, subject 
to final approval, by the Commission, has been placed on the public 
record for a period of sixty (60) days. The following Analysis to Aid 
Public Comment describes the terms of the consent agreement, and the 
allegations in the complaint. An electronic copy of the full text of 
the consent agreement package can be obtained from the FTC Home Page 
(for January 19, 1999), on the World Wide Web, at ``hhtp://www.ftc.gov/
os/actions97.htm.'' A paper copy can be obtained from the FTC Public 
Reference Room, Room H-130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20580, either in person or by calling (202) 326-3627. Public 
comment is invited. Such comments or views will be considered by the 
Commission and will be available for inspection and copying at its 
principal office in accordance with Section 4.9(b)(6)(ii) of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice (16 CFR 4.9(b)(b)(ii).

Analysis of Proposed Consent Order To Aid Public Comment

    The Federal Trade Commission has accepted an agreement, subject to 
final approval, to a proposed consent order from respondent Johnson 
Worldwide Associates, Inc.
    The proposed consent order has been placed on the public record for 
sixty (60) days for reception of comments by interested persons. 
Comments received during this period will become part of the public 
record. After sixty (60) days, the Commission will again review the 
agreement and the comments received and will decide whether it should 
withdraw from the agreement and take other appropriate action or make 
final the agreement's proposed order.

[[Page 3947]]

    This matter concerns advertising, packaging, labeling, and 
promotional practices related to the sale of fishing line. The 
Commission's complaint charges that respondent misrepresented on 
packaging that its Super Mono fishing line is made in the United States 
of America and Japanese components. In addition, the complaint charges 
that respondent misrepresented in advertising that its Super Mono 
fishing line is all or virtually all made in the United States. In 
truth and in fact, the Super Mono fishing line is totally made in Japan 
with Japanese labor and components. Only the spool on which the fishing 
line is wrapped and the package, labeling, and package inserts contain 
American labor or components.
    The proposed consent order contains a provision that is designed to 
remedy the charges and to prevent the respondent from engaging in 
similar acts and practices in the future. Part I of the proposed order 
prohibits the respondent from misrepresenting the extent to which any 
fishing product is made in the United States. The order defines fishing 
products as any product that is intended to be used for fishing, 
including but not limited to fishing rods, fishing reels, fishing line, 
fishing lures, and fishing spoons. The proposed order would allow 
respondent to represent that such fishing products are made in the 
United States as long as all, or virtually all, of the components of 
the products are of U.S.A. origin and all, or virtually all, of the 
labor in manufacturing them is performed in the United States.
    The proposed order also provides that respondent shall not make a 
general U.S. origin claim, whether or not accompanied by qualifying 
information (e.g., ``Made in U.S.A. of U.S. and imported parts'' or 
``Manufactured in U.S. with imported materials'') unless the fishing 
product was last substantially transformed in the United States, as the 
term ``substantially transformed'' is defined by regulations or 
administrative rulings issued by the U.S. Customs Service under section 
304 of the Tariff Act of 1930, 19 U.S.C. 1304.
    Part II of the proposed order requires the respondent to maintain 
materials relied upon in disseminating any representation covered by 
the order. Part III of the proposed order requires the respondent to 
distribute copies of the order to certain company officials and 
employees. Part IV of the proposed order requires the respondent to 
notify the Commission of any change in the corporation that may affect 
compliance obligations under the order. Part V of the proposed order 
requires the respondent to file one or more compliance reports. Part VI 
of the proposed order is a provision whereby the order, absent certain 
circumstances, terminates twenty years from the date of issuance.
    The purpose of this analysis is to facilitate public comment on the 
proposed consent order. It is not intended to constitute an official 
interpretation of the agreement and proposed order or to modify in any 
way their terms.

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-1659 Filed 1-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M