Title 15Commerce and TradeRelease 119-73

§2106 Definitions

Title 15 › Chapter CHAPTER 48— - HOBBY PROTECTION › § 2106

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines key words used in this chapter. An original political item is a button, poster, leaflet, sticker, or ad made for a political cause. An imitation political item is a fake or copy of one of those. An original numismatic item is something used as money or made to honor an event or person, like coins, tokens, paper money, or commemorative medals. An imitation numismatic item is a fake or copy of those. "Commerce" is the same as in the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.). "Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission. "United States" covers the States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. A collectibles certification service is a person collectors accept as giving independent proof an item is genuine. "Trademark Act of 1946" refers to the law approved July 5, 1946 (15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.).

Full Legal Text

Title 15, §2106

Commerce and Trade — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

For purposes of this chapter:
(1)The term “original political item” means any political button, poster, literature, sticker, or any advertisement produced for use in any political cause.
(2)The term “imitation political item” means an item which purports to be, but in fact is not, an original political item, or which is a reproduction, copy, or counterfeit of an original political item.
(3)The term “original numismatic item” means anything which has been a part of a coinage or issue which has been used in exchange or has been used to commemorate a person or event. Such term includes coins, tokens, paper money, and commemorative medals.
(4)The term “imitation numismatic item” means an item which purports to be, but in fact is not, an original numismatic item or which is a reproduction, copy, or counterfeit of an original numismatic item.
(5)The term “commerce” has the same meaning as such term has under the Federal Trade Commission Act [15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.].
(6)The term “Commission” means the Federal Trade Commission.
(7)The term “United States” means the States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(8)The term “collectibles certification service” means a person recognized by collectors for providing independent certification that collectible items are genuine.
(9)The term “Trademark Act of 1946” means the Act entitled “An Act to provide for the registration and protection of trademarks used in commerce, to carry out the provisions of certain international conventions, and for other purposes”, approved July 5, 1946 (15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.).

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Trade Commission Act, referred to in par. (5), is act Sept. 26, 1914, ch. 311, 38 Stat. 717, which is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 41 et seq.) of chapter 2 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 58 of this title and Tables. The Trademark Act of 1946, referred to in par. (9), is act July 5, 1946, ch. 540, 60 Stat. 427, also popularly known as the Lanham Act, which is classified generally to chapter 22 (§ 1051 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1051 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

2014—Pars. (8), (9). Pub. L. 113–288 added pars. (8) and (9).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable only to imitation political items and imitation numismatic items manufactured after Nov. 29, 1973, see section 8 of Pub. L. 93–167, set out as a note under section 2101 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

15 U.S.C. § 2106

Title 15Commerce and Trade

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73