Interpretation ID: nht88-2.31

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 05/20/88

FROM: JERRY SWISHER -- COOPER TIRE AND RUBBER COMPANY

TO: OFFICE OF CHIEF COUNSEL -- NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

TITLE: REQUEST FOR OPINION

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 08/26/88 TO JERRY SWISHER FROM ERIKA Z JONES, REDBOOK A32, STANDARD 109

TEXT: Gentlemen:

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (Cooper) is a manufacturer of passenger, light truck and truck tires, which are sold and distributed to independent tire dealers through Cooper's own sales and distribution system and also sold to private brand customers f or distribution and sales through their own systems.

One of our private brand customers has inquired as to whether Cooper can manufacture and sell to them tires which would have:

1. No identification on the sidewall as to the name of the manufacturer or brand name owner, other than Cooper's assigned DOT letters. This tire would meet all the requirements of 49 CFR 571.109 S4.3(a) through (g) and 49 CFR 574.5; however, it woul d not have permanently molded on the upper sidewall the name "Cooper", the private brand owner's name, nor any other general trade name, trademark or identifying name. Each tire would have in the lower sidewall near the bead area, and visible after the tire was mounted, three different names, approximately one-quarter inch (1/4") in height, with each name appearing, for example, at the 2 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 10 o'clock positions on the tire. These names would be placed in such a manner that they woul d not interfere with the labeling or markings required under 49 CFR 571.109.

2. In the alternative, our private-brand customer makes the request as in 1. above, except that some generic connotation, such as, for example, "All Season" or "Performance" would also be molded on the upper sidewall.

The reason for the request from our private brand customer is that, in addition to its direct marketing, the private brand customer has two subsidiaries, and each of the three markets tires under a different name. They are seeking a generic tire with out prominent identification, but one which would contain all three names, thus making it marketable by any one or all three of the entities.

We request your opinion in reference to 1. and 2. above as to whether either would be in violation of, or in non-compliance with, 49 CFR Parts 571 and 574.

If you have any questions pertaining to the above, please feel free to contact me.

Very truly yours,