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Title 50 — War and National DefenseRelease 119-73not60

§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

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

People may not use the words "Office of the Director of National Intelligence," the initials "ODNI," the office seal, or anything that looks like them on products, when pretending to be the office, in fundraising, or in business if it would make people think the Director approved it. Written permission from the Director or someone the Director names is required. If the Attorney General thinks someone is doing or about to do this, the Attorney General can sue in federal court to stop it. The court must act quickly and can issue temporary orders or other steps to prevent harm before a final decision.

Full Legal Text

Title 50, §3233

War and National Defense — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)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)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

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60