US ITC bans import of bed linen with false labels

The US International Trade Commission has declared false labels, which show inflated thread counts on bed linen, to be an unfair trade practice and have banned the entry of such textile products. The Washington=based commission has ordered Customs and Border Protection to work with AAVN, a technology leader in the home textile industry, to implement the order. 

This victory secured by AAVN has officially been communicated to the US President, secretary of the treasury, and the US trade representative. 
 
High thread counts are a sign of quality, comfort, and luxury in bed linens. The problem arises primarily in cotton/polyester blends, where manufacturers find it difficult to weave very fine polyester fibres. This problem was solved by AAVN with Alpha Cotton, a unique manufacturing process protected by a US patent, that covers thread counts ranging from 190 to 1200. 

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While many manufacturers produce their high thread count bedding under the license from AAVN, including some of the world's largest manufacturers like Alok Industries and Indocount, Nextt holds all of the licensing rights for Alpha Cotton. 
 
Other textile importers and manufacturers have chosen instead to falsely label lower thread count fabrics as much higher thread counts. This false labelling is in some instances over by100 per cent, misleading consumers into buying inferior quality products at inflated prices, while also violating the patent. 
 
"This is as much a victory for consumers as it is for AAVN and Alpha Cotton. We look forward to Customs' broad enforcement of the ITC's order to clean up the textile industry so that consumers can have confidence in the integrity of the products they are buying," said Paul Brinkman, partner of Quinn Emanuel, LLP. 
 
This ruling will affect fourth quarter business where this fabric is a part of Black Friday promotions by major retailers.