Formation of local trade associations by statewide trade association
73 F.T.C. 1336 · May 21, 1968 · Digest No. 250
source volume section (73 F.T.C. 1336)
Text is machine-OCR of the printed volume and may contain errors. Advisory opinions are the Commission's views on proposed conduct, not binding orders.
No. 250. Formation of local trade associations by statewide trade association.
In an advisory opinion disapproving a proposal by a State trade association desiring to establish a statewide network of loc.al clubs or trade associations in the same industry the Commission advised that on the basis of presented facts, it was unable to determine with any degree of accuracy their precise purpose and objectives. The advisory opinion pointed out that the Commission does not generally disapprove the proposed formation of industry groups or trade associations for purposes which are not anticompetitive. If the purpose for such formation is the dissemination of information on. local or State legislation, the improvement of individual businesses or the establishment of sound accounting principles and bookkeeping practices or similar activity, the CoII11nission would voice no objection. , however, the purpose or effect of such groups and their policies is the unlawful suppression of competition, the promotion of unlawful price stability or so-called orderly marketing practices, their formation could not be approved under any circumstances. Since these latter effects would not be inconsistent with the general statement of purpose submitted with the factua.l presentation, the Comnlission disapproved the proposal in its present form. (File No. 6837099, released :l\Iay 21 1968.
No. 2'51. Disclosure of country of origin of imported fasteners. The Commission was requested to render an advisory opinion with respect to the nec.essity for disclosing the colUltry of origin of metal fasteners whic.h will be imported from Japan. The fasteners will either be imported in bulk and repackaged in small cardboard cartons in this country or will be packaged in individual c.artons in Japan. The opinion advised that in the COlnmission s view the country of origin of these fasteners must be disclosed in a clear and conspicuous manner on the package in which they are sold and that neither directly nor indirectly could the importer imply that they were made in the United States. (File No. 6837120, released :May 21, 1968.