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 [1823113] 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BEFORE THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

COMMISSIONERS: Joseph J. Simons, Chairman 

Noah Joshua Phillips 

Rohit Chopra

Rebecca Kelly Slaughter

Christine S. Wilson

In the Matter of

UNDERGROUND SPORTS INC., a corporation,

 d/b/a PATRIOT PUCK,

HOCKEY UNDERGROUND INC., a corporation,

 d/b/a PATRIOT PUCK,

IPUCK INC., a corporation, 

 d/b/a PATRIOT PUCK,

IPUCK HOCKEY INC., a corporation, 

 d/b/a PATRIOT PUCK,

and 

GEORGE STATLER III, 

individually and as an officer of UNDERGROUND

SPORTS INC., HOCKEY UNDERGROUND INC.,

IPUCK INC., and IPUCK HOCKEY INC.

DECISION AND ORDER 

C- 4674

DECISION

The Federal Trade Commission (“Commission”) initiated an investigation of certain acts 

and practices of the Respondents named in the caption. The Commission’s Bureau of Consumer 

Protection (“BCP”) prepared and furnished to Respondents a draft Complaint. BCP proposed to 

present the draft Complaint to the Commission for its consideration. If issued by the 

Commission, the draft Complaint would charge the Respondents with violations of the Federal 

Trade Commission Act.

Respondents and BCP thereafter executed an Agreement Containing Consent Order 

(“Consent Agreement”). The Consent Agreement includes: 1) statements by Respondents that 

they neither admit nor deny any of the allegations in the Complaint, except as specifically stated 

in this Decision and Order, and that only for purposes of this action, they admit the facts 
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necessary to establish jurisdiction; and 2) waivers and other provisions as required by the 

Commission’s Rules. 

The Commission considered the matter and determined that it had reason to believe that 

Respondents have violated the Federal Trade Commission Act, and that a Complaint should 

issue stating its charges in that respect. The Commission accepted the executed Consent 

Agreement and placed it on the public record for a period of 30 days for the receipt and 

consideration of public comments. The Commission duly considered any comments received 

from interested persons pursuant to Section 2.34 of its Rules, 16 C.F.R. § 2.34. Now, in further 

conformity with the procedure prescribed in Rule 2.34, the Commission issues its Complaint, 

makes the following Findings, and issues the following Order:

Findings

1. The Respondents are: 

a. Respondent Underground Sports Inc., also doing business as Patriot Puck, a New 

York corporation with its principal office or place of business at 145 Milbar 

Blvd., Farmingdale, NY 11735. 

b. Respondent Hockey Underground Inc., also doing business as Patriot Puck, a 

New York corporation with its principal office or place of business at 145 Milbar 

Blvd., Farmingdale, NY 11735. 

c. Respondent Ipuck Inc., also doing business as Patriot Puck, a New York 

corporation with its principal office or place of business at 145 Milbar Blvd., 

Farmingdale, NY 11735. 

d. Respondent Ipuck Hockey Inc., also doing business as Patriot Puck, a New York 

corporation with its principal office or place of business at 145 Milbar Blvd., 

Farmingdale, NY 11735. 

e. Respondent George Statler III, an officer of the Corporate Respondents, 

Underground Sports Inc., Hockey Underground Inc., Ipuck Inc., and Ipuck 

Hockey Inc. Individually or in concert with others, he formulates, directs, or 

controls the policies, acts, or practices of Underground Sports Inc., Hockey 

Underground Inc., Ipuck Inc., and Ipuck Hockey Inc., which, together, do 

business as “Patriot Puck.” His principal office or place of business is 145 Milbar 

Blvd., Farmingdale, NY 11735. 

2. The Commission has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this proceeding and over 

Respondents, and the proceeding is in the public interest. 
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ORDER

Definitions

For purposes of this Order, the following definitions apply: 

A. “Clear(ly) and conspicuous(ly)” means that a required disclosure is difficult to miss (i.e., 

easily noticeable) and easily understandable by ordinary consumers, including in all of 

the following ways: 

1. In any communication that is solely visual or solely audible, the disclosure must be 

made through the same means through which the communication is presented. In any 

communication made through both visual and audible means, such as a television 

advertisement, the disclosure must be presented simultaneously in both the visual and 

audible portions of the communication even if the representation requiring the 

disclosure (“triggering representation”) is made through only one means. 

2. A visual disclosure, by its size, contrast, location, the length of time it appears, and 

other characteristics, must stand out from any accompanying text or other visual 

elements so that it is easily noticed, read, and understood. 

3. An audible disclosure, including by telephone or streaming video, must be delivered 

in a volume, speed, and cadence sufficient for ordinary consumers to easily hear and 

understand it.

4. In any communication using an interactive electronic medium, such as the Internet or 

software, the disclosure must be unavoidable. 

5. On a product label, the disclosure must be presented on the principal display panel. 

6. The disclosure must use diction and syntax understandable to ordinary consumers and

 must appear in each language in which the triggering representation appears. 

7. The disclosure must comply with these requirements in each medium through which 

it is received, including all electronic devices and face-to-face communications. 

8. The disclosure must not be contradicted or mitigated by, or inconsistent with, 

anything else in the communication. 

9. When the representation or sales practice targets a specific audience, such as children, 

the elderly, or the terminally ill, “ordinary consumers” includes reasonable members 

of that group. 

B. “Made in the United States” means any representation, express or implied, that a product 

or service, or a specified component thereof, is of U.S.-origin, including, but not limited 
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to, a representation that such product or service is “made,” “manufactured,” “built,” or 

“produced” in the United States or in America, or any other U.S.-origin claim.

C. “Respondents” means all of the Corporate Respondents and the Individual Respondent, 

individually, collectively, or in any combination. 

1. “Corporate Respondents” means Underground Sports Inc., also d/b/a “Patriot 

Puck”; Hockey Underground Inc., also d/b/a “Patriot Puck”; Ipuck Inc., also d/b/a 

“Patriot Puck”; Ipuck Hockey Inc., also d/b/a “Patriot Puck”; and their successors 

and assigns, individually, collectively, or in any combination. 

2. “Individual Respondent” means George Statler III. 

Provisions 

I.

PROHIBITED MISREPRESENTATIONS REGARDING U.S. ORIGIN CLAIMS

IT IS ORDERED that Respondents, and Respondents’ officers, agents, employees, and 

attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who receive 

actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection with the 

manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of any 

hockey puck, or any other product or service, must not make any representation, expressly or by 

implication, that a product or service is Made in the United States unless: 

A. The final assembly or processing of the product occurs in the United States, all 

significant processing that goes into the product occurs in the United States, and all or 

virtually all ingredients or components of the product are made and sourced in the United 

States; or 

B. A Clear and Conspicuous qualification appears immediately adjacent to the 

representation that accurately conveys the extent to which the product contains foreign 

parts, ingredients or components, and/or processing; or 

C. For a claim that a product is assembled in the United States, the product is last 

substantially transformed in the United States, the product’s principal assembly takes

place in the United States, and United States assembly operations are substantial.

II.

SUBSTANTIATION

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents, Respondents’ officers, agents, 

employees, and attorneys, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of 

them, who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection 

with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale or distribution of 

any product or service, must not make any representation, expressly or by implication, regarding 
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the country of origin of any product or service unless the representation is non-misleading,

including that, at the time it is made, Respondents possess and rely upon a reasonable basis for 

the representation. 

III. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS OF THE ORDER

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents obtain acknowledgments of receipt of this 

Order:

A. Each Respondent, within 10 days after the effective date of this Order, must submit to the 

Commission an acknowledgment of receipt of this Order sworn under penalty of perjury. 

B. For 20 years after the issuance date of this Order, Individual Respondent for any business 

that such Respondent, individually or collectively with any other Respondents, is the 

majority owner or controls directly or indirectly, and each Corporate Respondent, must 

deliver a copy of this Order to: (1) all principals, officers, directors, and LLC managers 

and members; (2) all employees having managerial responsibilities for conduct related to 

the subject matter of the Order, and all agents and representatives who participate in 

conduct related to the subject matter of the Order; and (3) any business entity resulting 

from any change in structure as set forth in the Provision titled Compliance Reports and 

Notices. Delivery must occur within 10 days after the effective date of this Order for 

current personnel. For all others, delivery must occur before they assume their 

responsibilities.

C. From each individual or entity to which a Respondent delivered a copy of this Order, that 

Respondent must obtain, within 30 days, a signed and dated acknowledgment of receipt 

of this Order.

IV. 

COMPLIANCE REPORTS AND NOTICES

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents make timely submissions to the 

Commission:

A. One year after the issuance date of this Order, each Respondent must submit a 

compliance report, sworn under penalty of perjury, in which: 

1. Each Respondent must: (a) identify the primary physical, postal, and email 

address and telephone number, as designated points of contact, which 

representatives of the Commission, may use to communicate with Respondent; 

(b) identify all of that Respondent’s businesses by all of their names, telephone 

numbers, and physical, postal, email, and Internet addresses; (c) describe the 

activities of each business, including the goods and services offered, the means of 

advertising, marketing, and sales, and the involvement of any other Respondent 

(which the Individual Respondent must describe if he knows or should know due 
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to his own involvement); (d) describe in detail whether and how that Respondent 

is in compliance with each Provision of this Order, including a discussion of all of 

the changes the Respondent made to comply with the Order; and (e) provide a 

copy of each Acknowledgment of the Order obtained pursuant to this Order, 

unless previously submitted to the Commission. 

2. Additionally, the Individual Respondent must: (a) identify all his telephone 

numbers and all his physical, postal, email and Internet addresses, including all 

residences; (b) identify all his business activities, including any business for 

which such Respondent performs services whether as an employee or otherwise 

and any entity in which such Respondent has any ownership interest; and 

(c) describe in detail such Respondent’s involvement in each such business 

activity, including title, role, responsibilities, participation, authority, control, and 

any ownership. 

B. Each Respondent must submit a compliance notice, sworn under penalty of perjury, 

within 14 days of any change in the following: 

1. Each Respondent must submit notice of any change in: (a) any designated point 

of contact; or (b) the structure of any Corporate Respondent or any entity that 

Respondent has any ownership interest in or controls directly or indirectly that 

may affect compliance obligations arising under this Order, including: creation, 

merger, sale, or dissolution of the entity or any subsidiary, parent, or affiliate that 

engages in any acts or practices subject to this Order.

2. Additionally, the Individual Respondent must submit notice of any change in: 

(a) name, including alias or fictitious name, or residence address; or (b) title or 

role in any business activity, including (i) any business for which such 

Respondent performs services whether as an employee or otherwise and (ii) any 

entity in which such Respondent has any ownership interest and over which 

Respondents have direct or indirect control. For each such business activity, also 

identify its name, physical address, and any Internet address.

C. Each Respondent must submit notice of the filing of any bankruptcy petition, insolvency 

proceeding, or similar proceeding by or against such Respondent within 14 days of its 

filing.

D. Any submission to the Commission required by this Order to be sworn under penalty of 

perjury must be true and accurate and comply with 28 U.S.C. § 1746, such as by 

concluding: “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of 

America that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on: _____” and supplying the 

date, signatory’s full name, title (if applicable), and signature.

E. Unless otherwise directed by a Commission representative in writing, all submissions to 

the Commission pursuant to this Order must be emailed to DEbrief@ftc.gov or sent by 
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overnight courier (not the U.S. Postal Service) to: Associate Director for Enforcement, 

Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue 

NW, Washington, DC 20580. The subject line must begin: In re Underground Sports 

Inc.

V. 

RECORDKEEPING

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents must create certain records for 20 years 

after the issuance date of the Order, and retain each such record for 5 years, unless otherwise 

specified below. Specifically, Corporate Respondents and the Individual Respondent for any 

business that such Respondent, individually or collectively with any other Respondents, is a 

majority owner or controls directly or indirectly, must create and retain the following records: 

A. Accounting records showing the revenues from all goods or services sold, the costs 

incurred in generating those revenues, and resulting net profit or loss; 

B. Personnel records showing, for each person providing services in relation to any aspect of 

the Order, whether as an employee or otherwise, that person’s: name; addresses; 

telephone numbers; job title or position; dates of service; and (if applicable) the reason 

for termination;

C. Copies or records of all consumer complaints and refund requests, whether received 

directly or indirectly, such as through a third party, and any response; 

D. All records necessary to demonstrate full compliance with each provision of this Order, 

including all submissions to the Commission;

E. A copy of each unique advertisement or other marketing material making a representation 

subject to this Order; and

F. For 5 years from the date of the last dissemination of any representation covered by this 

Order:

1. All materials that were relied upon in making the representation; and 

2. All evidence in each Respondent’s possession, custody, or control that 

contradicts, qualifies, or otherwise calls into question the representation, or the 

basis relied upon for the representation, including complaints and other 

communications with consumers or with governmental or consumer protection 

organizations. 

VI. 

COMPLIANCE MONITORING
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IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the purpose of monitoring Respondents’ 

compliance with this Order:

A. Within 10 days of receipt of a written request from a representative of the Commission,

each Respondent must: submit additional compliance reports or other requested

information, which must be sworn under penalty of perjury, and produce records for

inspection and copying.

B. For matters concerning this Order, representatives of the Commission are authorized to

communicate directly with each Respondent. Respondents must permit representatives

of the Commission to interview anyone affiliated with any Respondent who has agreed to

such an interview. The interviewee may have counsel present.

C. The Commission may use all other lawful means, including posing through its

representatives as consumers, suppliers, or other individuals or entities, to Respondents or

any individual or entity affiliated with Respondents, without the necessity of

identification or prior notice. Nothing in this Order limits the Commission’s lawful use

of compulsory process, pursuant to Sections 9 and 20 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 49,

57b-1.

D. Upon written request from a representative of the Commission, any consumer reporting

agency must furnish consumer reports concerning the Individual Respondent, pursuant to

Section 604(2) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681b(a)(2).

VII. 

ORDER EFFECTIVE DATES 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Order is final and effective upon the date of its 

publication on the Commission’s website (ftc.gov) as a final order. This Order shall terminate 

on April 16th, 2039, or 20 years from the most recent date that the United States or the 

Commission files a complaint (with or without an accompanying settlement) in federal court 

alleging any violation of this Order, whichever comes later; provided, however, that the filing 

of such a complaint will not affect the duration of: 

A. Any Provision in this Order that terminates in less than 20 years;

B. This Order’s application to any Respondent that is not named as a defendant in such

complaint; and

C. This Order if such complaint is filed after the Order has terminated pursuant to this

Provision.

Provided, further, that if such complaint is dismissed or a federal court rules that the Respondent 

did not violate any provision of the Order, and the dismissal or ruling is either not appealed or 
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upheld on appeal, then the Order will terminate according to this Provision as though the 

complaint had never been filed, except that the Order will not terminate between the date such 

complaint is filed and the later of the deadline for appealing such dismissal or ruling and the date 

such dismissal or ruling is upheld on appeal. 

By the Commission, Commissioner Slaughter and Commissioner Chopra dissenting. 

 

April J. Tabor

Acting Secretary 

SEAL:

ISSUED: April 16, 2019