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Title 51 — National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-73

§20141 Misuse of agency name and initials

Title 51 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - General Program and Policy Provisions › Chapter CHAPTER 201— - NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE PROGRAM › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER III— - GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › § 20141

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

It is illegal to knowingly use the words "National Aeronautics and Space Administration" or the letters "NASA," or any close copy of them, as a company name or on a product or service if that use would likely make people think NASA is connected with, approves, sponsors, or authorizes it when it does not. The Attorney General can file a civil lawsuit in federal court to stop someone who does this. Person — who is covered by section 20135(a).

Full Legal Text

Title 51, §20141

National and Commercial Space Programs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)No person (as defined by section 20135(a) of this title) may knowingly use the words “National Aeronautics and Space Administration” or the letters “NASA”, or any combination, variation, or colorable imitation of those words or letters either alone or in combination with other words or letters—
(1)as a firm or business name in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that the firm or business has some connection with, endorsement of, or authorization from, the Administration which does not, in fact, exist; or
(2)in connection with any product or service being offered or made available to the public in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that the product or service has the authorization, support, sponsorship, or endorsement of, or the development, use, or manufacture by or on behalf of the Administration which does not, in fact, exist.
(b)Whenever it appears to the Attorney General that any person is engaged in an act or practice which constitutes or will constitute conduct prohibited by subsection (a), the Attorney General may initiate a civil proceeding in a district court of the United States to enjoin such act or practice.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 2014142 U.S.C. 2459b.Pub. L. 85–568, title III, § 311, formerly § 310, as added Pub. L. 98–52, title I, § 107, July 15, 1983, 97 Stat. 284; renumbered § 311, Pub. L. 106–391, title III, § 324(a)(1), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1599.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

51 U.S.C. § 20141

Title 51 — National and Commercial Space Programs

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73