[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 189 (Thursday, September 30, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52790-52791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25419]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

[File No. 982-3588]


The Wire Works, Inc., et al.; Analysis To Aid Public Comment

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Proposed consent agreement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 November 29, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to: FTC/Office of the Secretary, 
Room 159, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20580.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine Kolish or Kent Howerton, FTC/S-
4302, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20580. (202) 326-3042 
or 326-3013.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 6(f) of the Federal 
Trade Commission Act, 38 Stat. 721, 15 U.S.C. 46 and Sec. 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 September 13, 1999), on the World Wide Web, at ``http://
www.ftc.gov/os/actions97.htm.'' A paper copy can be obtained from the 
FTC Public Reference Room, Room H-130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20580, either in person or by calling (202) 326-3627.
    Public comment is invited. Comments should be directed to: FTC/
Office of the Secretary, Room 159, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20580. Two paper copies of each comment should be filed, 
and should be accompanied, if possible, by a 3\1/2\ inch diskette 
containing an electronic copy of the comment. 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 
Sec. 4.9(b)(6)(ii) of the Commission's rules of practice (16 CFR 
4.9(b)(6)(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

[[Page 52791]]

from respondents The Wire Works, Inc., and Electrodes, 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.
    This matter concerns advertising, labeling, and promotional 
practices related to the sale of brass electrical discharge machining 
(``EDM'') wire electrodes. Wire EDM is a metal removal technique that 
is used to cut metal parts. The Commission's complaint charges that 
respondents misrepresented that certain of its EDM wire electrodes were 
all or virtually all made in the United States when, in truth and in 
fact, a substantial portion of their content was of foreign origin.
    The proposed consent order contains a provision that is designed to 
remedy the charges and to prevent the respondents from engaging in 
similar acts and practices in the future. Part I of the proposed order 
prohibits the respondents from misrepresenting the extent to which 
their EDM wire electrodes are made in the United States. The proposed 
order would allow respondents to represent that such EDM wire 
electrodes are made in the United States as long as all, or virtually 
all, of the components of the EDM wire electrodes are of U.S. origin 
and all, or virtually all, of the labor in manufacturing them is 
performed in the United States. It also would allow respondents to make 
a representation regarding the U.S. origin or U.S. content of their EDM 
wire electrodes product as permitted in future regulations, guides, or 
enforcement policy statements promulgated by the Commission. The 
proposed order further would allow respondents to describe the specific 
processing that is performed on the product in the United States, e.g., 
that the product is ``Drawn in the U.S.A.,'' ``Annealed in U.S.A.,'' 
``Coldworked in U.S.A.,'' or ``Strengthened in U.S.A.,'' so long as the 
claim is truthful and substantiated. If the product is not last 
substantially transformed in the United States, the proposed order 
would require the respondents to comply with regulations and rulings 
issued by the U.S. Customs Service under section 304 of the Tariff Act, 
19 U.S.C. 1304.
    Part II of the proposed order requires the respondents to maintain 
materials relied upon in disseminating any representation covered by 
the order. Part III of the proposed order requires the respondents to 
distribute copies of the order to certain company officials and 
employees. Part IV of the proposed order requires the respondents to 
notify the Commission of any change in the corporations that may affect 
compliance obligations under the order. Part V of the proposed order 
requires the respondents 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. 99-25419 Filed 9-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M