50 U.S.C. § 3513: Misuse of Agency name…

Summary

No one may use the words "Central Intelligence Agency", the initials "CIA", the Agency seal, or anything that looks like them on products, while pretending to be the Agency, when asking for money, or in business, if that use would make people think the CIA approves it — unless the Director gives written permission. If the Attorney General believes someone is doing or is about to do this, the Attorney General can sue in a U.S. district court to stop it. The court must move quickly and can issue temporary orders to prevent harm before making a final decision.

Title 50, §3513

War and National Defense, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Prohibited acts

No person may, except with the written permission of the Director, knowingly use the words “Central Intelligence Agency”, the initials “CIA”, the seal of the Central Intelligence Agency, 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 Central Intelligence Agency.

(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.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was formerly classified to section 403m of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 1981, see section 806 of Pub. L. 97–89, set out as a note under section 1621 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

§3513 Misuse of Agency Name, Initials, or Seal