95-17878. Guide for Avoiding Deceptive Use of Word ``Mill'' in the Textile Industry  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 139 (Thursday, July 20, 1995)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 37334-37335]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-17878]
    
    
    
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    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
    
    16 CFR Part 236
    
    
    Guide for Avoiding Deceptive Use of Word ``Mill'' in the Textile 
    Industry
    
    AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.
    
    ACTION: Rescission of the guide for avoiding deceptive use of word 
    ``Mill'' in the textile industry.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (the ``Commission''), as part of 
    its periodic review of all its guides and rules, announces that it has 
    concluded a review of its Guide for Avoiding Deceptive Use of Word 
    ``Mill'' in the Textile Industry (``Guide'' or ``Use of Word `Mill' 
    Guide''). The Commission has decided to rescind the Guide.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Ann M. Guler, Investigator, Federal Trade Commission, Los Angeles 
    Regional Office, 11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 13209, Los Angeles, CA 
    90024, (310) 235-7890.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    
    I. Background
    
        The Use of Word `Mill' Guide was issued by the Commission in 
    1967.\1\ The Guide states that the word ``mill'' should not be used in 
    the corporate, business, or trade name of any person or concern 
    handling textiles, unless the person or concern actually owns and 
    operates or controls the manufacturing facility in which all textile 
    materials sold under that name are produced. The Guide includes 
    examples where use of the word ``mill'' has been found to be deceptive.
    
        \1\ Industry guides are administrative interpretations of laws 
    administered by the Commission for the guidance of the public in 
    conducting its affairs in conformity with legal requirements. 16 CFR 
    1.5.
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        On April 15, 1994, the Commission published a Notice in the Federal 
    Register soliciting comment on the Guide.\2\ Specifically, the 
    Commission solicited comments on the costs and benefits of the Guide 
    and its regulatory and economic effect. The comment period closed June 
    14, 1994. The Commission received three comments in response to the 
    Notice. They are discussed in Part II below.
    
        \2\ 59 FR 18005.
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    II. Comments Received
    
        The Commission received comments from three organizations: The 
    American Textile Manufacturers Institute (ATMI), National Association 
    of Hosiery Manufacturers (NAHM), and the Better Business Bureau of 
    Nashville/Middle Tennessee, Inc. All of the commenters supported the 
    continuation of the Guide in its present form. The ATMI and NAHM both 
    stated that the Guide is beneficial to the textile manufacturing 
    industry and to consumers because it prevents possible false claims by 
    companies that may distribute but do not actually manufacture textile 
    products. They further stated that the guide does not impose costs or 
    burdens on industry or on consumers. The Better Business Bureau of 
    Nashville/Middle Tennessee, Inc.'s comment asserted that the Guide is 
    necessary ``to prevent misleading the public and unfair competition in 
    the marketplace.''
        The Nashville/Middle Tennessee BBB comment also raised the issue of 
    other words used in trade names. The BBB recommended that the 
    Commission restrict the use of words such as ``factory'' and 
    ``manufacturer'' in corporate, business, or trade names ``unless the 
    entity so named actually owns, operates or controls the manufacturing 
    facility which produces all merchandise being advertised and/or sold 
    under the name.''
    
    III. Conclusion
    
        The Commission has concluded its regulatory review of the Guide for 
    Avoiding Deceptive Use of the Word ``Mill'' by rescinding the Guide. 
    The Commission has no evidence of circumstances associated with the use 
    of the word ``mill'' that would require special protection for 
    consumers or guidance for industry, such as evidence that consumers 
    currently believe that textile industry entities with the word ``mill'' 
    in their names are engaged in the manufacture of textiles. Today, the 
    word ``mill'' is commonly used in business names both within and 
    outside the textile industry. For example, many shopping malls use the 
    word ``mill'' or ``mills'' in their names. The word ``mill'' is also 
    frequently used in the names of businesses, including retail stores or 
    shopping malls, that occupy the building or site of a former textile 
    mill. Additionally, the word ``mill'' is used in various enterprises 
    outside of the textile 
    
    [[Page 37335]]
    industry. For example, firms in the food production or food service 
    industry may use the word ``mill'' because of its association with 
    grinding grain into flour. These uses would not be covered by the 
    Guide, because the businesses do not handle textiles. Other businesses 
    may use the word ``mill'' in a creative name that has nothing to do 
    with the original meanings of the word for textile manufacturing, grain 
    processing, or any other form of materials processing. The Commission 
    considers it unlikely that such uses of the word ``mill'' mislead 
    consumers in any material way in their purchasing decisions or 
    otherwise cause any consumer injury.
        Given the many and varied uses of the term ``mill'' in today's 
    lexicon, the Commission has concluded that the Guide is obsolete. If, 
    in the future, certain uses of this term (or any other term) in 
    business or trade names are determined to be materially misleading, the 
    Commission can address such practices under Section 5 of the Federal 
    Trade Commission Act.
    
    List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 236
    
        Advertising, trade name, textiles, mill.
    
        By direction of the Commission.
    Donald S. Clark,
    Secretary.
    [FR Doc. 95-17878 Filed 7-19-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6750-01-M
    
    

Document Information

Published:
07/20/1995
Department:
Federal Trade Commission
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Rescission of the guide for avoiding deceptive use of word ``Mill'' in the textile industry.
Document Number:
95-17878
Pages:
37334-37335 (2 pages)
PDF File:
95-17878.pdf
CFR: (1)
16 CFR 236