Federal regulators have busted Neiman-Marcus and two other retailers for selling products marketed as containing fake fur, when in reality the fur was real.

The high-end retailer, along with DrJays.com and Eminent, settled federal claims that they had marketed rabbit, raccoon and mink as faux fur.

Why would businesses sell the real deal, which presumably is worth more, as something fake and less valuable?

Because demand for real fur has declined, while stores have had trouble keeping fake fur in stock, leading at least these three companies to do what would have been unthinkable years ago.

Neiman Marcus’ fake fake fur products were a Burberry Outerwear Jacket, a Stuart Weitzman Ballerina Flat shoe, and an Alice + Olivia Kyah Coat. DrJays.com is accused of using dead animals for the Snorkel Jacket by Crown Holder with a fur-lined hood, a Fur/Leather Vest by Knoles & Carter with exterior fur, and a New York Subway Leather Bomber Jacket by United Face with fur lining. Eminent’s fake fake products were an Australia Luxe Collective Nordic Angel Short Boot with a fur-trimmed hood, a Mark Jacobs Runway Roebling Coat, a Dakota Xan Fur Poncho, and an Eryn Brinie Belted Faux Fur Vest.

Animal rights groups applauded the settlement that was reached between the companies and the Federal Trade Commission.

“The lines between real and fake have gotten really blurry,” Dan Mathews, a senior vice president with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, told The New York Times. “In this global marketplace, there are fur farms in China that raise dogs for clothing that is labeled as fake fur here in the U.S. because that’s what the market best responds to.”

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky

To Learn More:

Faux Claims for Faux Fur (by Lesley Fair, Federal Trade Commission)

Real Fur, Masquerading as Faux (by Julie Creswell, New York Times)

Neiman Marcus Settles with FTC Over Faux Fur Labeling Flap (Blog of LegalTimes)

Neiman Marcus Settles Complaints It Sold Real Fur Labeled 'Faux' (by Stuart Pfeifer, Los Angeles Times)