§333 Prohibition of misuse of Department of the Treasury names, symbols, etc.

Summary

People may not use the Department of the Treasury’s name, the names of its parts, officer or employee titles (like Secretary of the Treasury or Treasurer of the United States), initials, the words “United States Savings Bond” or other Treasury obligations, any Treasury symbol or design (including envelope or stationery styles), or any close copy of these things in ads, solicitations, business activities, or on products. Saying you are not connected to the government does not excuse using them. The Secretary of the Treasury can charge a fine up to $5,000 for each improper use, or $25,000 for each broadcast use. The Secretary must decide to charge a penalty within 3 years of the violation and can sue to collect it within 2 years after charging it. If someone knowingly breaks the rule, they can be fined up to $10,000 and/or jailed up to 1 year for each use, or up to $50,000 for each broadcast use. If a criminal case starts first, no civil fine can later be charged for that same violation, and if a civil fine was already charged, no criminal case can be started. Criminal charges must be begun within 3 years of the violation.