18 U.S.C. § 475: Imitating obligations or…

Summary

Making, printing, or using business cards, notices, signs, flyers, or ads that look like U.S. government securities or obligations, or attaching those items to U.S. securities or coins, is illegal and can lead to a federal fine. Proof-of-postage marks approved by the U.S. Postal Service are not covered.

Title 18, §475

Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Whoever designs, engraves, prints, makes, or executes, or utters, issues, distributes, circulates, or uses any business or professional card, notice, placard, circular, handbill, or advertisement in the likeness or similitude of any obligation or security of the United States issued under or authorized by any Act of Congress or writes, prints, or otherwise impresses upon or attaches to any such instrument, obligation, or security, or any coin of the United States, any business or professional card, notice, or advertisement, or any notice or advertisement whatever, shall be fined under this title. Nothing in this section applies to evidence of postage payment approved by the United States Postal Service.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 292 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 177, 35 Stat. 1122). Enumeration of obligations of the United States was omitted in view of definition in section 8 of this title. Changes in phraseology were also made.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pub. L. 109–162 inserted at end “Nothing in this section applies to evidence of postage payment approved by the United States Postal Service.” 1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $500”. 1951—Act July 16, 1951, prohibited use of notices or advertising prints or labels on United States coins.

§475 Imitating Obligations or Securities; Advertisements