Title 50, War and National DefenseRelease 119-110
§3233 Misuse of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Name, Initials, or Seal
Title 50 › CHAPTER 44 — NATIONAL SECURITY › SUBCHAPTER IX — ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS › § 3233
Summary
No one may use the name "Office of the Director of National Intelligence", the initials "ODNI", the ODNI seal, or copies of them on merchandise, to impersonate, solicit, or do business in a way that makes people think ODNI approved it, unless they have written permission from the Director or someone the Director names. The Attorney General can sue in a U.S. district court to get quick orders to stop it.
Full Legal Text
Title 50, §3233
War and National Defense, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Prohibited acts
No person may, except with the written permission of the Director of National Intelligence, or a designee of the Director, knowingly use the words “Office of the Director of National Intelligence”, the initials “ODNI”, the seal of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, or any colorable imitation of such words, initials, or seal in connection with any merchandise, impersonation, solicitation, or commercial activity in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that such use is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Director of National Intelligence.
(b)Injunction
Whenever it appears to the Attorney General that any person is engaged or is about to engage 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. Such court shall proceed as soon as practicable to the hearing and determination of such action and may, at any time before final determination, enter such restraining orders or prohibitions, or take such other action as is warranted, to prevent injury to the United States or to any person or class of persons for whose protection the action is brought.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification Section was formerly classified to section 442b of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
50 U.S.C. § 3233
Title 50, War and National Defense
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110