WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced enforcement actions against three companies—TouchTunes Music Company, Americana Liberty LLC, and Oak Street Manufacturing Company—for falsely advertising their products as “Made in the USA,” alleging that some products were merely assembled in the United States using imported components.

DETAIL: Each company was found to have violated FTC rules by advertising products as “Made in the USA” despite using significant foreign components or manufacturing processes. For example, TouchTunes falsely claimed its electronic dartboards were U.S.-made, even though key parts essential to the product’s function were imported from overseas. Americana Liberty falsely labeled flags and related products as American-made, while Oak Street misrepresented its footwear as entirely U.S.-crafted, even though components and assembly were outsourced to foreign factories. Such schemes have been observed elsewhere, with some Italian luxury brands caught importing goods and simply attaching a single component, such as a bag handle, to claim they are “Made in Italy.”

IMPACT: These enforcement actions include financial penalties—$625,000 for TouchTunes, $167,743 for Americana Liberty, and $75,000 for Oak Street—and require the companies to cease their misleading advertising practices. The FTC emphasized its commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring fair competition for businesses that genuinely invest in American manufacturing.

KEY QUOTE: “The FTC is committed to ensuring that ‘Made in the USA’ claims are truthful and trustworthy.” – Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

FLASHBACK: These actions follow a March Executive Order by President Donald J.Trump aimed at ensuring truthful advertising of “Made in the USA” claims, as well as prior FTC warnings to the companies involved.