2323035 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

BEFORE THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 

COMMISSIONERS: Lina M. Khan, Chair 

Rebecca Kelly Slaughter

 Alvaro M. Bedoya 

In the Matter of 

EXOTOUSA LLC, a limited liability company, DOCKET NO. 

d/b/a OLD SOUTHERN BRASS; 

and 

AUSTIN OLIVER, individually and as an 

officer of EXOTOUSA LLC. 

COMPLAINT 

The Federal Trade Commission, having reason to believe that ExotoUSA LLC, a limited 

liability company, and Austin Oliver, individually and as an officer of ExotoUSA LLC 

(collectively, “Respondents”), have 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 ExotoUSA LLC, also doing business as Old Southern Brass (“ExotoUSA” or 

“Corporate Respondent”), is a New Mexico limited liability company with its principal office or 

place of business at 11334 Boggy Creek Road 111, Orlando, Florida 32824. 

2. Respondent Austin Oliver (“Oliver”) is the sole member and officer of ExotoUSA. 

Individually or in concert with others, he controlled or had the authority to control, or 

participated in the acts and practices of ExotoUSA, including the acts and practices alleged in 

this complaint. His principal office or place of business is the same as that of ExotoUSA. 

3. Respondents have advertised, labeled, offered for sale, sold, and distributed products to 

consumers, including glassware, mugs, pens, and other novelty items. 

4. The acts and practices of Respondents alleged in this complaint have been in or affecting 

commerce, as “commerce” is defined in Section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EWS ~ 

A Ou,cK Gu 10E To 

PATRIOT IC C H~IST M AS GIFTS 

□ A MEN AN □ MEN 

W1 N N I NG THIG CH RIGTM""5 GCA$.ON AN O 

FINDING T HE PERFEC T GIFT FOR T H E 

PATR I OT I H V OU A LIFE . ALL OF UR 

PRODUCT S ARE MAO£ RIGHT HERE I N THE 

UNIT!!':O STATl!':5 o r AM l!':RICA ANO WH E N 

Y U P U A C:H.A5E A G I F'" T F'"AOM O 

50UTHl!': " N 8 ~A55• YOU' LL H AVC:: THI!': 

FU N O S GO TO SUF"F"ORT LOCALVCTE:RANS• 

P AT R I OT!;;, A NO LOV i.::A~ OF° AL L TI-IING!;; 

2A. 

Posr!:: □ ON cT BER 15, 2022 

RcAO MORC 

Respondents’ Business Practices 

5. Incorporated in 2018, ExotoUSA operates as “Old Southern Brass,” selling products 

through its website, oldsouthernbrass.com, and on third-party platforms such as amazon.com. 

6. Oliver has served as an officer for ExotoUSA since its inception and assumed sole 

responsibility in March 2020. 

7. Since March 2020, only Oliver has controlled the development or implementation of 

Corporate Respondent’s policies, procedures, and practices. 

8. Prior to becoming the sole officer of ExotoUSA, Oliver held sales positions in other 

companies and participated in the practices alleged in this Complaint. 

9. ExotoUSA holds itself out as “the premier online mens [sic] gift store for finding the best 

gifts for men!” Its products include novelty glassware embedded with bullets or embossed with 

patriotic quotes, glass decanters shaped like air rifles, pens made from bullet casings, and similar 

items. 

10. Corporate Respondent’s marketing materials claim patriotic association with the U.S. 

military and specifically target servicemembers and veterans, including by claiming Corporate 

Respondent is veteran operated and donates 10% percent of sales to military charities. 

11. Respondents have disseminated or have caused to be disseminated advertisements, 

packaging, and promotional materials for their products, including the embedded Exhibits A 

through D. These materials contain express or implied representations that all ExotoUSA 

products are all or virtually all made in the United States: 

A. “All of our products are made right here in the United States of America” 

Exhibit A, “Squawk Box” post on oldsouthernbrass.com. 

Page 2 of 12 
 

MERICA G t F'TS FoR T1-1E 

' MERICA MAN I N Y ouR L t F'E 

WHETHER IT IS A GIFT f'OR CHRISTMAS, 

FATHER'S AV, BIRTHOAV, VETE:RAN'S 

AV OR MORE, OUR GIFTS WILL HONOR 

THE: 'MC:RICA MAN IN VOUA LIF"E WITH 

CLASS. WITH THAT , WE'LL LEAVE YOU TO 

SHOP UNTIL YOUR HEART'S CONTCNT, 

JUST KNOW THAT ALL Of' OUR PRODUCTS 

ARE 100°/o AMERICAN MAO£ ANO NOTH ING 

SAYS 'Ml:RICA LIKI: MAKING PROOUCTS 

RIGHT HERE AT HOME FOR 'MERICA MAN 

OR WOMAN ALIKE:, 

POSTEO ON OCTOBER 25, 2022 

RLAO MORE 

~ Ol d So uthern Brass 

... March 3. 2022 · 0 

We're offering even more for our Veteran's!! 

Check out this ,awesome post and sho p o u r 100% USA mad e. M ilitary 

& 1st Respo nder Gifts!! 

OLDSOUT-IERIJBRASS.C01'.1 

Persona l ized Whiskey Shot G lass Sets for Learn more 

M ilitary Veterans 

0 0 26 1 comment 4 shares 

B. “Just know that all of our products are 100% American made and nothing says 

‘Merica like making products right here at home for ‘Merica man or woman alike.” 

Exhibit B, “Squawk Box” post on 

oldsouthernbrass.com 

C. “100% USA made, Military & 1st Responder Gifts!!” 

Exhibit C, Old Southern Brass Facebook 

post. 

Page 3 of 12 
 

 

 

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Fashioned Whiskey Rocks Bourbon 

Glass - 10 oz cilpacity - Made in the 

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D. “Made in USA” below a depiction of the American Flag 

Exhibit D, Old Southern Brass Facebook post. 

12. In fact, in numerous instances, Respondents’ products are wholly imported from China or 

contain significant imported content. 

13. Therefore, Respondents’ express or implied representations that all company products are 

all or virtually all made in the United States are false or unsubstantiated. 

14. Respondents have disseminated or have caused to be disseminated advertisements, 

packaging, and promotional materials for Company products, including the embedded Exhibits E 

through I. These materials contain express or implied representations that all ExotoUSA 

glassware products are all or virtually all made in the United States: 

E. “PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA: Our glassware is 100% made in the USA.” 

Exhibit E, Amazon.com listing. 

Page 4 of 12 
 

 

FRE E S H I P P ING ON ERS $50 + 

1000/c AUTHENTIC SPENT ROUNDS 

AMERICAN MAD E G LASSWEAR 

1O0/c NATE0 TO MILIT A RY S ERVIC E 

CHARITIES 

MADE I N USA HANO BLOW N W HISKEY G LASS G I FTS FOR V ETERA N S 

G V E WH IS K ET-O"I NKI N G MIL ITA l"IY V C T E RAN5 A U St"I-MA O E t:il l"T THE Y 1L L ... ,. .. ,,u :C1A T E. Ou " HAN ·tl W"' 

D LA~ 5 W H l 5K~~ ET5Al'IE M A Of l"II I OHT H E l"I E I N THE UNI T E05TA T E 5 A N O Ot:5 1CJ N E O l"O"A"1 E l'IICA N 

P ATl"IIOTS , l'"l l'IS T R C5 ;>Q N O C R 5. A N O M I L I TA RY VCTCR.-.N 5 WH:l CAN 1T OCT C N O U C;H O f" T HCl l"I O O L O . l'I IC H 

D R I NK Cl" C H O ICE. Yo u CAN C:O.J NT O N O U R MAOC N USA 0-A!:i'::iWAFIC: T O S C RVE Y O U AN C: Y O UR Q U ES T S 

T MCRC A R C MAN Y ... C"10RI C !i T O QC MAOC OVCR A CLA!i5 O J" ~OU ROO N IN T l-IC M A N CAVC . K I CK YOU R J"C CT 

U P I N T ... r.; R l.':CLINC R AN O TURN ON M A R C >-! MAO N C5!.. R clA.< WMI LC: !.tPPI NG WMl5KG:V O N T l-IC AOCK5 I N A 

C II A R MING I.U L L5:T W M li, KI.Y O l.A!i-1. TMAT MATCM C!. VO u p MAN LV, AMC PICAM - MAO C MAN c.i.v c THC M C . 

AMi.:AICAN PATRIOT!; A N O M l LllARV vi.:TEP A N !. ALll(a;: WI LL •PPAi.:C IATE A N ICC i;:vi.:NI N G C<IJOVI NG fl Ni.: 

FROM C UA U N I OU E P "- T A I O l tC O li:CAN T I. P W H ISl(a;:ye; ;:: T CO L L L CllON T O OUA LAR GC 5 C LCC" IOM 0 ~ W H 15 1(r;;v 

GLASSES. o SOUTHE RN 8 1=1.o.sc;'s HAN □ B LOWN GLASS WH ISKEY SETS ARE G REAT G I F TS FOR VETE RANS 

[ H E CK OUT S OM E O F OUR F AYCl A IT E PATR IOTI C W H IS K E Y G LASS W A R E FDA V E T E RAN S BELON, 

MACI.: IN USA G LA!.I.WARC:: ~OR V!::Tl::RAN~ 

WH ISK£Y ROCKS GLASS SET 

Q.;pt r-AT .. tOT I C H,O,.NO ISLON .., 0LA55 COLL ECTION l":Jf'I Wt-1,5K~ O f'IINKEf'l5 15 A ,-:i,-uLAf'I ~ T 5TO ~ 1"0 .. 

CU 5 TOM l':l't5. [ACH H AN O !!LOWN O LA5 5 Cf'I I N KWAf'IE l!'l f'IICH N I TH AMEf'I I CA N Hl5 T 0f'IY A N O CAf'l l": l"ULLV 

C R,o,. FT C O DV H.AA O ·WO A K I N G AM C R I C A N !i, W HCN YOU OU" ICJ:O M OUA GlCR C . vou'Rc C C L COA,O,.T I N G YOU R 

AM C A ICAN FAC COON A N O O U R H CROIC liCAV IC C M C N ANOWOMCN WHO ICOUGHT 10 AC H I CVC 11 . 

F. “American Made Glasswear [sic]” 

Exhibit F, Example of 

banner displayed across 

every page of 

oldsouthernbrass.com 

G. “MADE IN USA HAND BLOWN WHISKEY GLASS GIFTS FOR VETERANS 

Give whiskey-drinking military veterans a USA-made gift they’ll appreciate. Our handblown glass whiskey sets are made right here in the United States and designed for 

American patriots, first responders, and military veterans who can’t get enough of their 

bold, rich drink of choice. You can count on our made in USA glassware to serve you 

and your guests for many years!” 

Exhibit G, “Squawk Box” post 

on oldsouthernbrass.com 

Page 5 of 12 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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~:, Rh•1~(sl 

Alli 1 IIH AHi 

WE MAKE EACH GLASS BY HAND IN DUR GLASS WORKSHOP IN FL□ RIDA. 

PR DUCTIDN TI ME IS 2 - 3 BUSI NESS DAYS FDR STANDARD GLASSES. 

H. “Engraved and Made in USA” 

Exhibit H, oldsouthernbrass.com ad for an engraved whiskey 

glass, quoting the U.S. Constitution. 

I. “We make each glass by hand in our glass workshop in Florida.” 

Exhibit I, oldsouthernbrass.com website product description. 

15. In fact, in numerous instances, Respondents’ glassware products are not made in the 

United States. Rather, in numerous instances, they are wholly imported from China. 

16. Therefore, Respondents’ express or implied representations that all its glassware products 

are all or virtually all made in the United States are false or unsubstantiated. 

17. Respondents have disseminated or have caused to be disseminated advertisements, 

packaging, and promotional materials for Company products, including the embedded Exhibits J 

through P. These materials contain statements and depictions claiming patriotic association with 

the U.S. military, including: Corporate Respondent is veteran operated, Corporate Respondent 

donates 10% of its sales to military service charities, and certain ExotoUSA products include 

bullets or casings from cartridges fired by the U.S. military: 

Page 6 of 12 
 

How Lo SOUTHER N BRASS SUPPORTS T H E SECO N D AME N D M E N T 

I T'S SPECIA L A NO RARE TO F"I N0 A S MALL B U S I N ESS T HAT PER FECT LY ALIGNS W I T H YO U R V A LU ES A N O 

I N TERES T S . To A L L T HE S ECOND A M E N D M E NT S U PPO R T ERS A N O D EDICATED AMERICA N L OYALISTS, OL□ 

SOUTH E R N B RAS S S E R V ES Y O U R I N TE R EST S AN D V A LU ES. 058 I S A S M ALL , A MERI C A N-OWN ED B U S I NESS 

T HAT S U PPO RTS AMERICAN P A T R I OTS , M I LI TAR Y SERV I CE M E MBE R S , V E TERA N S , F I R S T R ESPOND ERS , AN D 

G U N CONNO ISSE URS. A s A V E T E RA N - O PERAT E D BUS I N ESS I N TH E U N I T E D S T A T ES, DU R M I SSI O N 15 T D 

G I V E BAC K TO FEL LOW A M E R ICAN P A T RIOTS WH O HAV E SER V E D A N O PROT E CTED D U R COU N T R Y . 

We The People Patriot ic American 2 nd !\mend ment 12 Gauge Shot 

Fldy Dt:L d l 1l er WI fr::,lu~y Gld::.:::. Girl Sel - GldY)e:::. - Set u f 4 - A, 11e1 i Ldl I Ow11eU 

~ l-'1ece '.::>et - l-'rem1um Gift Hox - Veteran Operated - Unique l-'amot 1c 

American Owned Veteran Operated One of a Kind Shot Glass 

***** v 56 Polyet hyleoe 

i9999 ****1r v z,086 

FREE delivery M.Jy 26 Jun 1 

~ Sm all Business ..., 

~14 99 ($3.75/Count) 

..rprime 

FREE delivery Sun, May 21 on $25 of items 

shipped by Amazon 

Or fast est delivery Thu, May 18 

jaii Sma l Business ..., 

O ld Southern 3rass U.S. Arm y Vet eran 

10 uur1Lt: Wlii:::.key Gld:» - OriLi::dly 

Licensed - Amen can Uwned Veteran 

Operated 

Glass 

..rprime 

FREE celivery Sun, May 21 on $25 of it ~m s 

shipped by Amazon 

Or fastest de.ive-y Thu, May 18 

~ Small Business v 

J. “As a veteran-operated business in the United States, our mission is to give back 

to fellow American patriots who have served and protected our country.” 

Exhibit J, “Squawk Box” post on oldsouthernbrass.com making veterans claims. 

K. “American Owned Veteran Operated” 

Exhibit K, three Amazon.com product listings claiming “Veteran Operated.” 

Page 7 of 12 
S HI PPING O N ROERS $50 + 

100% AUTHENT I C SPENT UN0S 

LJ.5. NAVY DECA NT ER W H I SKEY GLASS G I FT SET - 5 

P I ECE SET - PRE MIUM G I FT Box 

$99.99 

DT□ CART 

CHECKOUT SECURELY W ITH: 

II - [ • Pay J VISA 

• SPIECE WHISKEY SET IN CLUDES I DEC A NTER ANO 4 GlASSES 

• PREM I UM DUALITY G I FT BOX IS GU A RANT EED TO IM PRESS 

• E OF A K,N □ MILITARY G I FT THAT OS PERFECT FOR ALL LJ .5. NAVY V ETERAN S 

• BAC K ED B Y A LIFETIM E WARRAN T Y AGAfNST ALL MANU FACTUR ER DEFE CTS 

• □ BY AMER ICA N OWN ED AND V E T ERAN OPERATED CO M PA N Y 

• L ARE IN STR Tl C HAND WAS H ONLY 

M INIMUM ID'3⁄4, OF CO M PANY PROF ITS A RE DON TE □ TO VARIOUS NON PROFIT 

FOU NDATOONS THAT BE N EFI T V ETERAN S AND THEIR FAMILI ES . □□ ITI ON ALLY $8 FRO M 

EACH SET SO LD OS PAI [] DIRECTLY TO TH E NAVY RAL , W E L FARE, AND RECREATI O "' 

{MWR ) PROGRAM. THE M ISSf[] N OF MWR IS TO SERV E TH E N EEDS , IN TERESTS . AND 

RES PO N S I B ILITI ES DF ALL PEOPLE tN THE NAVY C::O MMUNOTY - 5AILORS . THEtA FAM<LI E S, 

C IVI LIAN E M PLOY EES, AND M I LITA R Y AETOAEES 

AMERICAN MAD E GLASSWEA R 

10% NATE0 

~ TO MILITARY SERVI CE 

CH A RIT I ES 

L. “Sold by American owned and Veteran operated company” 

Exhibit L, Navy-themed product listing on oldsouthernbrass.com claiming “Veteran 

operated” 

M. Corporate Respondent donated a percentage of sales -- “10% Donated to Military 

Service Charities.” 

Exhibit M, Examples of banner displayed across every page of oldsouthernbrass.com. 

Page 8 of 12 
Roll over image to zoom In 

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Get SSO off IOSUlntly. P¥f SO 00 $-l9,99 upon~ for the 

AnW:on ~ Vtw C..d. No an~ fH. 

Material ens.s 

ColOf' DHertTan 

Finish Type Polished 

Brand ExotOUSA 

Is Customizable No 

About t h is it em 

• High quality and authentic; Professionally polished; These bullet 

bottle openers are handcrafted In the USA 

• Complete with a gift box that replicates a real rifle case 

aesthetically and funct10nally: Two working clasps and a hinged 

handle for ii secure closure; A sleek tactkal exterior and derne 

foam interior 

• Made from ii real once-fired SO al round that was used by the 

U.S. milita")' 

• Portion of proceeds go to Wounded Wanior Project 

• The pet"fect gtft for q ocusion or event:: Father's Day, 

Wedding. &rthday, Valentme's Day, Anniversary, Ctvist~ 

Retu-ernent. and Grilduauon 

Additional Details 

Small BoSlness 

~ ::=: is from a 5mc1U business brand. Support small. 

Add to Cart 

i Secure~ 

Shtpsfroffl OldSOuthtrna.-

So6dby OidSOuthtrnl<M 

Return polky. Ebg1ble fo, 

Return, Refund or Rep{acemeot 

within 30 days of receipt 

Add to LIit 

se~onAm.ion 

N. “Handcrafted from an authentic 50 cal casing that was previously used by the 

U.S. military.” 

Exhibit N, oldsouthernbrass.com product listing for an engraved casing as bottle opener. 

O. “Made from a real once-fired 50 cal round that was used by the U.S. military.” 

Exhibit O, Amazon.com product listing for an engraved casing. 

Page 9 of 12 
 

 

 

 

E 5EL eu LL.ET ea 5WARE:. 

M UC OF" OU MADE IN USA G~55WARE 1COL ECTIO CO 1 5 W I i-1 A Ell.I I.LE 

E: M BE:DCIE01 IN T H E: 5 1 Dl:s. OF" T l-t IE GLASS, 0 N IE: ~RE:AT V IS A L WAY O SU P P ORT Y D R 

I GI-IT ,-o l!!IE:AF! AF!M5 15 'TO ClRI NI I,( WH 15KE:Y' F F! OM A eu LLET Wl"t ISKE:Y GLA5!!!ir TM 15 

AR IST I FiEIF'~ES N T ATION F 2 A 5U IF'F'OFiT MAK SA STATEM N T .A,NO C::,:,.,N 

INFLUENCE OTI-IERS. IOI.. □ 5□ UTtatER BRASS'S BU LLET G LASSWARE COMES WIT H 

VARIOUS PATRIOTIC DESIG S, I.IKE THE T H IN IBLIJ E LI NE:, r:Jcnv 'T TREAO ON ME:, 

AN ID AM ER I CAN F" LACi,S , 

uR l"A T R ! O IC G1.A55WARE CON TA I NS El THE . A .308 OR .50 CALI EI E au L 

T..i E.S IE: CO PPIER PRDJ IEC TI LES AFl' E: REA L IB UI.. LE 5 M DE IN T 1-1 E USA AN F l RED B Y 

TH E U.S. MILITARY. SHOW PAT RIOT ISM OR YOUR COUNTR•Y BY □ R I K I NG YOUR' 

F.A.VClFHT E F'IRIT CUT OF TH ESE: U N IClUE MI LIT~RY GLASSES. WE'RE F"RIJ Ul:l TIJ E L L 

Tl-I EM A NO Fl LL OUR HOME BARS WITI-I Tl-I ESE FUN c. A PRO TS. 

P. “Our patriotic glassware contains either a .308 or .50 caliber bullet. These copper 

projectiles are real bullets made in the USA and fired by the U.S. military.” 

Exhibit P, “Squawk Box” post on oldsouthernbrass.com. 

18. In fact, Respondents lack the claimed associations with the U.S. military. Corporate 

Respondent is not operated by any veteran of the U.S. military. Corporate Respondent does not 

donate 10% of its sales to military service charities. Indeed, in 2022, Corporate Respondent 

claimed charitable deductions amounting to less than 0.5% of its sales. Finally, Respondents’ 

products that contain bullets or casings are not from cartridges fired by the U.S. military. 

19. Therefore, Respondents’ express or implied representations of patriotic association with 

the U.S. military as described in Paragraph 17 are false or unsubstantiated. 

Respondent Oliver’s Knowledge 

20. Oliver participated in the deceptive practices, had actual control as an officer, and has 

been Corporate Respondent’s sole officer and owner. 

21. At all times relevant to this Complaint, Oliver has maintained sole control over the 

development, implementation, and oversight of Corporate Respondent’s policies, procedures, 

and practices related to advertising. 

22. Oliver has directed and controlled Corporate Respondent’s overseas purchases and 

importation practices. 

23. Oliver has served as Corporate Respondent’s sole contact with United States Customs 

and Border Protection (“CBP”) and routinely corresponds with CBP regarding Corporate 

Respondent’s shipments. 

Page 10 of 12 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24. Oliver corresponded directly with CBP regarding missing or incorrect foreign country-oforigin labeling for Corporate Respondent’s imported products. 

25. Oliver knows Corporate Respondent is not veteran operated. Oliver has never served in 

and is not a veteran of any branch of the United States armed forces. 

26. Respondent Oliver has directed and controlled Corporate Respondent’s charitable 

contributions. 

Count I 

False or Misleading Made in USA Advertising Claims 

27. In numerous instances, in connection with the advertising, promotion, offering for sale, or 

sale, or distribution of glassware, mugs, pens, and other products, Respondents have represented, 

directly or indirectly, expressly or by implication, that their products are all or virtually all made 

in the United States. 

28. In fact, in numerous instances in which Respondents have made the representations set 

forth in Paragraph 27, Respondents’ products were not all or virtually all made in the United 

States. Indeed, in numerous instances they were wholly imported from China. 

29. Therefore, Respondents’ representations as set forth in Paragraph 27 are false or 

misleading, or were not substantiated at the time the representations were made. 

Count II 

False or Misleading Advertising Claims of Association with the U.S. Military 

30. In numerous instances, in connection with the advertising, promotion, offering for sale, 

sale, or distribution of glassware, mugs, pens, and other products, Respondents have claimed, 

directly or indirectly, expressly or by implication, patriotic association with the U.S. military, 

such as that: 

A. Corporate Respondent is a veteran-operated business; 

B. Corporate Respondent donates 10% of sales to military service charities; 

C. Certain of Corporate Respondent’s products incorporate bullets or bullet casings 

from cartridges previously fired by the U.S. military. 

31. In fact, Respondents do not have the claimed associations with the U.S. military. 

Specifically, Corporate Respondent is not a veteran-operated business; Corporate Respondent 

does not donate 10% of its sales to military service charities; and Corporate Respondent’s 

products do not incorporate bullets or bullet casings from cartridges previously fired by the U.S. 

military. 

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32. Therefore, Respondents’ representations as set forth in Paragraph 30 are false or 

misleading, or were not substantiated at the time the representations were made. 

Violation of Section 5 

33. The acts and practices of Respondents 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 _______ day of _______, 20__, has 

issued this Complaint against Respondents. 

By the Commission. 

[April J. Tabor] 

Secretary 

SEAL: 

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