WASHINGTON, D.C. (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced April 17 that, following a public comment period, it has finalized a consent order that settles charges against Bollman Hat Company, a Pennsylvania business that allegedly used deceptive “American Made Matters” certifications and marketing materials.
The FTC first announced a complaint against Bollman, along with its wholly owned subsidiary SaveAnAmericanJob LLC, in January. Even though more than 70 percent of Bollman’s hat styles come to the U.S. as finished products, the company purportedly used marketing claims such as “American Made Matters,” “Choose American,” and “Made in USA Since 1868.”
In addition to marketing its own products, Bollman purportedly created a “American Made Matters” seal in 2010 that it would license to any company that has a facility in the U.S. or makes one product in the U.S.
To settle the allegations, Bollman will stop using the deceptive marketing materials. The FTC voted 2-0 to approve the final order in the case. Julia Solomon Ensor of the Bureau of Competition is staff contact for the case.