Current:Home > MarketsPatriotic brand Old Southern Brass said products were US-made. The FTC called its bluff.-InfoLens
Patriotic brand Old Southern Brass said products were US-made. The FTC called its bluff.
View Date:2024-12-23 10:30:24
A Florida-based company will pay a fine to the Federal Trade Commission after it made false patriotic claims about its products, proceeds and ownership.
The company EXOTOUSA operating as Old Southern Brass claimed on its website that all products were "100% American made", the company was veteran-operated, it donated 10% of its proceeds to charity, and some of its products use former-military supplies, according to a Wednesday release by the FTC.
“This company and its owner’s brazen deception cheated consumers who wanted to support U.S. manufacturing, veteran-operated businesses, and veteran charities,” said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “We will continue to hold accountable those who profit from false Made in USA and military association claims.”
The FTC complaint against the company alleges that many products sold on the website were made partially or wholly in China. Further, the owner of the company is not a veteran, it donated less than 0.5% of its sales to charity in 2022, and the products did not use bullets formerly fired by the U.S. military, the complaint states.
These findings lead to two counts of false and misleading advertising, according to the complaint, which "constitute unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce," violating the Federal Trade Commission Act.
The proposed consent order, which will carry the force of law once it becomes final, found Old Southern Brass liable for more than $4.5 million. However, the company is unable to pay that, and instead must pay the FTC fine of $150,000, according to the FTC. The company is also prohibited from making any false claims about its products moving forward.
The company and its owner have agreed to the order, the release states. Old Southern Brass did not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.
Patriotic apparel:Jonathan Isaac launches UNITUS conservative apparel after protesting BLM in NBA
‘Merica gifts for the 'Merica man in your life': False patriotic claims
Evidence outlined in the complaint showed Old Southern Brass claimed patriotic associations in marketing and product descriptions.
One blog post titled "A Quick Guide to Patriotic Christmas Gifts for Men and Women," claimed that "all of our products are made right here in the United States of America," at the time of the complaint.
The company also sold a whiskey glass engraved with the U.S. Constitution, saying that each glass was made by hand at a workshop in Florida, the complaint stated.
Rather, the FTC found the products were imported from China on many occasions.
Old Southern Brass also sells various items shaped out of bullets or embedded with bullets.
Social media posts and product descriptions show the company claimed the bullets were once used by the U.S. Military, which the FTC deemed untrue.
Old Southern Brass has since removed the claim from its website.
veryGood! (6275)
Related
- Glen Powell responds to rumor that he could replace Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible'
- Maryland man wanted after 'extensive collection' of 3D-printed ghost guns found at his home
- Queen Bey and Yale: The Ivy League university is set to offer a course on Beyoncé and her legacy
- Why Jersey Shore's Jenni JWoww Farley May Not Marry Her Fiancé Zack Clayton
- Human head washes ashore on Florida beach, police investigating: reports
- Eminem, Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow, N.W.A. and Janet Jackson get Songwriters Hall of Fame nods
- Veterans Day restaurant deals 2024: More than 80 discounts, including free meals
- What does the top five look like and other questions facing the College Football Playoff committee
- Cameron Brink set to make Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut
- Nicole Scherzinger receives support from 'The View' hosts after election post controversy
Ranking
- Georgia's humbling loss to Mississippi leads college football winners and losers for Week 11
- New wildfires burn in US Northeast while bigger blazes rage out West
- Federal judge blocks Louisiana law that requires classrooms to display Ten Commandments
- NFL Week 10 winners, losers: Cowboys' season can no longer be saved
- Olivia Munn began randomly drug testing John Mulaney during her first pregnancy
- Ready-to-eat meat, poultry recalled over listeria risk: See list of affected products
- Fantasy football Week 11: Trade value chart and rest of season rankings
- CFP bracket prediction: SEC adds a fifth team to field while a Big Ten unbeaten falls out
Recommendation
-
She was found dead while hitchhiking in 1974. An arrest has finally been made.
-
Advocates Expect Maryland to Drive Climate Action When Trump Returns to Washington
-
Threat closes Spokane City Hall and cancels council meeting in Washington state
-
Repair Hair Damage In Just 90 Seconds With This Hack from WNBA Star Kamilla Cardoso
-
Former NFL coach Jack Del Rio charged with operating vehicle while intoxicated
-
Volkswagen, Mazda, Honda, BMW, Porsche among 304k vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
-
Voters in California city reject measure allowing noncitizens to vote in local races
-
Army veteran reunites with his K9 companion, who served with him in Afghanistan