UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

In the Matter of

JOHNSON WORLDWIDE ASSOCIATES, INC., a corporation.

DOCKET NO.

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 ___ day of ____________, 1998, has issued this complaint against respondent.

By the Commission.

Donald S. Clark
Secretary

SEAL: