Genfoot America, Inc. makes different models of footwear that purport to be “Made in USA.” However, the complaint for this class action alleges that the company’s Kamik winter boots, which are available in a variety of styles and color patterns, for men, women, and children, do not qualify for that designation. According to the complaint, primary components of the boots are made outside the US, including the soles of the boots, which are an important part of footwear.
The class for this action is all persons in the US who bought the boots at issue in this complaint.
The plaintiff for this class action, Debra Jackson, bought a pair of Kamik Greenbay 4 Winter Boots. The boots were purportedly “Made in USA,” but the complaint alleges that they “are not actually ‘Made in USA,’ as that term is defined by Federal Trade Commission (‘FTC’) regulations, which require that products marketed as ‘made in America’ or ‘made in the USA’ be made ‘all or virtually all’ in the United States.”
The complaint alleges, “Notably, the sole or ‘outsole’ is one of the most important parts of a shoe.” It quotes from an article on Koio.co entitled “Your Guide to the Anatomy of a Sneaker,” as saying that the sole of a shoe “provide[s] traction, flexibility and stability, and [protects] the rest of the shoe from the ground. Because they face the ground, outsoles should always be made from durable materials that hold up to frequent wear…”
The complaint also links to the Truth in Advertising website, which carries an article on the boots and their “Made in USA” claims. The article points out that the outsoles are made in Canada and that the “Made in USA” claims have small-print qualifications that add the phrase “with Foreign and Canadian Components.”
The article claims, “Here’s what the law says: If marketers want to use qualified made in the USA claims, they need to make sure, among other things, that the qualifying language is prominent so that consumers can read it.”
Despite this kind of calling out, the complaint alleges, Genfoot “continues to knowingly make these representations because consumers are willing to pay more for products that they believe are actually made in the United States and, therefore, [Genfoot] benefits enormously from these representations.”
According to the complaint, Genfoot’s website has a “Country of Origin—USA” collection page which shows thirty-nine models of footwear. While Genfoot does make its qualifications in small print, the complaint alleges that “to even discover this disclaimer on Genfoot’s website, a user must hover over the ‘USA’ icon to reveal it…”
Even this disclaimer is not enough, the complaint claims, because it is still unclear how much of the boots or their components are made outside of the USA.
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Consumer
Most Recent Case Event
Genfoot Kamik Winter Boots “Made in USA” Claim Complaint
January 31, 2022
Genfoot America, Inc. makes different models of footwear that purport to be “Made in USA.” However, the complaint for this class action alleges that the company’s Kamik winter boots, which are available in a variety of styles and color patterns, for men, women, and children, do not qualify for that designation. According to the complaint, primary components of the boots are made outside the US, including the soles of the boots, which are an important part of footwear.
Genfoot Kamik Winter Boots “Made in USA” Claim ComplaintCase Event History
Genfoot Kamik Winter Boots “Made in USA” Claim Complaint
January 31, 2022
Genfoot America, Inc. makes different models of footwear that purport to be “Made in USA.” However, the complaint for this class action alleges that the company’s Kamik winter boots, which are available in a variety of styles and color patterns, for men, women, and children, do not qualify for that designation. According to the complaint, primary components of the boots are made outside the US, including the soles of the boots, which are an important part of footwear.
Genfoot Kamik Winter Boots “Made in USA” Claim Complaint