| **9923019    B254538**

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 

*In the Matter of*

JOHNSON WORLDWIDE ASSOCIATES, INC., a corporation. 

DOCKET NO. C-3862

**COMPLAINT**

The Federal Trade Commission, having reason to believe that Johnson Worldwide    Associates, Inc. ("respondent") has violated the provisions of the Federal Trade    Commission Act, and it appearing to the Commission that this proceeding is in the public    interest, alleges:

1. Respondent Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc. is a Wisconsin corporation with its    principal office or place of business at 1326 Willow Road, Sturtevant, Wisconsin 53177.

2. Respondent has advertised, labeled, offered for sale, sold, and distributed products    to the public, including fishing line.

3. The acts and practices of respondent alleged in this complaint have been in or    affecting commerce, as "commerce" is defined in Section 4 of the Federal Trade    Commission Act.

4. Respondent has disseminated or has caused to be disseminated packaging for its    Spiderwire Super Mono Super Monofilament ("Super Mono") fishing line, including    but not necessarily limited to the attached Exhibit A. The front panel of this packaging    contains the following statement:

"MADE IN THE USA of American and Japanese components."

5. Through the means described in Paragraph 4, respondent has represented, expressly or    by implication, that its Super Mono fishing line is made in the United States of American    and Japanese components.

6. 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. Therefore,    the representation set forth in Paragraph 5 was, and is, false or misleading.

7. Respondent has disseminated or has caused to be disseminated advertisements and    other promotional materials for its Super Mono fishing line, including but not necessarily    limited to the attached Exhibits B through J. These advertisements and other promotional    materials contain the following statements and depictions: 

A. **Poster, Exhibit B:**

Picture of the Super Mono fishing line packaging. The statement "MADE IN THE      USA" is legible on the package. The statement "of American and Japanese      components" is not visible.

B. **Newspaper Advertisement, Exhibit C:**

Picture of the Super Mono fishing line package. The statement "MADE IN THE      USA" is legible on the package. The statement "of American and Japanese      components" is not visible.

C. **Advertising Pamphlet, Exhibit D:**

Picture of the Super Mono fishing line package on the front cover of the pamphlet. The      statement "MADE IN THE USA" is legible on the package. The statement "of      American and Japanese components" is not visible.

D. **Fishing 1998 Catalog, Exhibit E:**

Picture of the Super Mono fishing line package on page 5 of the catalog. The statement      "MADE IN THE USA" is legible on the package. The statement "of American and      Japanese components" is not in a type size sufficiently large for an ordinary      consumer to read and comprehend it.

E. **Fishing 1999 Catalog, Exhibit F:**

Picture of the Super Mono fishing line package on page 4 of the catalog. The statement      "MADE IN THE USA" is legible on the package. The statement "of American and      Japanese components" is not in a type size sufficiently large for an ordinary      consumer to read and comprehend it.

F. **Fishing Ad Planner 1998, Exhibit G:**

Picture of the Super Mono fishing line package on page 14 of the ad planner. The      statement "MADE IN THE USA" is legible on the package. The statement "of      American and Japanese components" is not visible.

G. **Information Sheet, Exhibit H:**

Picture of the Super Mono fishing line package. The statement "MADE IN THE      USA" is legible on the package. The statement "of American and Japanese      components" is not visible.

H. **Product Insert, Exhibit I:**

Picture of the Super Mono fishing line package. The statement "MADE IN THE      USA" is legible on the package. The statement "of American and Japanese      components" is not in a type size sufficiently large for an ordinary consumer to read      and comprehend it.

I. **Informational Videotape, Exhibit J:**

Picture of the Super Mono fishing line package. The statement "MADE IN THE      USA" is legible on the package. The statement "of American and Japanese      components" is not visible.

8. Through the means described in Paragraph 7, respondent has represented, expressly or    by implication, that its Super Mono fishing line is made in the United States, *i.e.*,    that all, or virtually all, of the component parts of the Super Mono fishing line is made    in the United States, and that all, or virtually all, of the labor in manufacturing the    Super Mono fishing line is performed in the United States.

9. 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. Therefore, the representation set forth in Paragraph 8 was, and is,    false or misleading.

10. The acts and practices of respondent as alleged in this complaint constitute unfair    or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce in violation of Section 5(a) of    the Federal Trade Commission Act.

THEREFORE, the Federal Trade Commission this sixth day of April, 1999, has issued this    complaint against respondent.

By the Commission.

Donald S. Clark    Secretary

SEAL: |
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