Lands’ End Inc. agreed in California federal
court on Friday to refund money to a class of customers who purchased children’s
neckties that were allegedly falsely labeled as being made in America when they
were actually made in China.
The dispute kicked off in October 2014, when Elaine Oxina
accused Lands’ End of violating the Lanham Act and California consumer
protection statutes by passing off “inferior quality” neckties as being “Made in
U.S.A.”
It is important to point out that this was a website labeling
issue and not a care labeling issue
regarding the country
of origin.
While its website may have indicated that the product was
manufactured in the U.S., it is our understanding from the case that a label
on the actual product revealed its true origins.
Under the terms of the agreement, the company will use its
records to reimburse a total of 38 Californians who purchased its “Kids
To-Be-Tied Plaid Necktie,” and will pay an additional $32,500 in attorneys'
fees.
Lands’ End had argued that the complaint failed to show that
the necktie in question wasn't worth its purchase price.
The case is Elaine Oxina v. Lands' End Inc., case number
3:14-cv-02577, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
California.
Learn more about
Lands’ End in our fashion company profile section and by reading the Lands’
End definition in our definitions section.
You may also be interested in learning about country
of origin markings for freight shipments to the USA.
It may also be a good idea to see the care
labeling FAQ’s blog post.
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