Title 36, Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-102
§21705 Exclusive Right to Name, Emblems, and Badges
Title 36 › Subtitle II — Patriotic and National Organizations › Part B — Organizations › CHAPTER 217 — THE AMERICAN LEGION › § 21705
Summary
Only the corporation and its subdivisions may use "The American Legion"; the corporation alone controls its emblems and badges.
Full Legal Text
Title 36, §21705
Patriotic and National Observances, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The corporation and its State and local subdivisions have the exclusive right to use the name “The American Legion” or “American Legion”. The corporation has the exclusive right to use, manufacture, and control the right to manufacture, emblems and badges the corporation adopts.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 2170536:44 (words between 4th and 5th semicolons).Sept. 16, 1919, ch. 59, §§ 4 (words between 4th and 5th semicolons), 8, 41 Stat. 285; June 26, 1953, ch. 153, 67 Stat. 82. 36:48. The word “sole” is omitted as included in “exclusive”. The words “to have and”, “in carrying out its purposes”, and “in carrying out the purposes of the corporation” are omitted as unnecessary.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
36 U.S.C. § 21705
Title 36, Patriotic and National Observances
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102