It is generally assumed that the public is protected against deception by the rulings of the Federal Trade Commission. This is not entirely true, for these rulings apply only in cases of a clear-cut misrepresentation of a Fur, which has entered into interstate commerce. In such a case the customer may apply to the Commission for protection, and he must be able to present his evidence in the form of definite documents and affidavits from reliable witnesses. The FTC Rulings outlaw misleading trade names, but enforcement is difficult.

Misrepresentation is still common enough to cause ethical Furriers to spend a great deal of money bringing legal action against dishonest merchants. Even under FTC Rulings it is possible for a dishonest retail dealer to misrepresent their merchandise. He can neglect to tell the full name, or can give the impression that the Fur is a better Fur without actually saying so.

Also, different areas produce different quality. Russian Ermine is superior and more costly than Canadian Ermine, yet the customer is not always told the difference. A natural Fur is more durable than the same Fur when dyed or blended, and the law says that the difference must be stated, but this is often neglected. There is a vast financial difference in the worth of a coat made of full skins and one made of quality scraps and non~quality scraps, yet the latter is often sold as former.

The FTC Rulings and jurisdiction over the practices of the Fur industry are as follows:

• Rule 1. In order to describe a Fur, in every case the correct name of the Fur must be the last word of the description, and if any dye or blend is used simulating another Fur, the word "Dyed" or "Blended" must be inserted between the name signifying the Fur that is simulated and the true name of the Fur, as: "Seal-Dyed Muskrat" or "Mink-Dyed Marmot."
• Rule 2. All Furs shaded, blended, tipped, dyed, or pointed, must be described as; "Black-Dyed Fox," or "Pointed Fox."
• Rule 3. Where the name of any country of section is used, it shall be the actual country of the origin of the Fur, as: "American Opossum." Where the name of a country or place is used to designate a color, the fact shall be indicated, as: "Sitka-Dyed Fox".
• Rule 4. Where goods are sold under a registered trademark, that trademark should not, by intent or otherwise, be capable of misinterpretation by the public. In case of trademarks heretofore established in common use, the advertisers should invariably indicate by suitable descriptive matter in addition to the trademark just what the Fur is; or, better, the trademark should be modified so as to include the descriptive matter.

Even where the latter, of the above rulings is obeyed, the protection given seems slim, for it is possible to make ordinary rabbit sound very expensive when given a name such as "Mink-Dyed Imported Coney Fur." Yet Coney is nothing but Rabbit and 90% of all rabbit Furs are imported.