"...Clowns to the right of me, jokers to the left, here
I am..."
-Stealers Wheel (1972)
Legal actions regarding "Made in the USA" claims,
whether prosecuted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or through
various state unfair trade practices acts, often settle early in
the proceedings. For example, in 2014, the FTC issued 16 "closing letters" wherein the target
company agreed to revise its "Made in the USA" claim to
clarify that its products, even those assembled in the United
States, included imported components. In 2015, the FTC issued 28
such "closing letters"; and in 2016, to date, the FTC has
issued 18.
Earlier this month, Chemence, Inc., the Ohio maker of Kwikfix,
Hammer-Tite and Flash Glue, entered into a settlement with the FTC.
Chemence was the third glue company that has resolved its claims
issues with the FTC since 2015. Toagosei America, Inc., makers of the Crazy
Glue brand, and Gorilla Glue both previously reached agreement with
the FTC, with FTC
