"Made in America"?

The Del Mar Law Group is suing blue-jeans companies over "Made in America" labels. In one suit that the firm hopes will be certified as a class action, the plaintiff states that "fabric, thread, buttons, subcomponents of the zipper assembly and/or rivets are manufactured outside of the United States."

In one of the cases, filed in San Diego federal court, the plaintiff quotes the California Supreme Court: "Simply stated: labels matter…. In particular, to some consumers, the 'Made in U.S.A.' label matters."

The publication California Apparel News quotes the president of the California Fashion Association saying "There is a little attorney firm in San Diego that is doing these class action lawsuits…. It is a pain in the ass."

The publication says "California law basically says everything must come from the United States to qualify for the 'Made in USA' label." However, the United States Customs Service says that if the good is "substantially transformed" in the United States, the label might pass muster.