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

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

[File No. 9923019]

Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc.; 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 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