SOME SECTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES CODE PROTECTING SPECIFIC NAMES, TERMS, INITIALS, ACRONYMS, AND MARKS

This appendix provides a nonexhaustive list of names, terms, initials acronyms, and marks that are protected under the United States Code. Almost all of these sections protect symbols, emblems, seals, insignia, and badges, as well as the referenced name, term, initials, acronym, and mark, and some protect the names and/or designs of characters.

For information regarding other matter protected by statute, see the Index to the United States Code, especially under the terms “decorations, medals and badges,” “coats of arms,” “character,” “insignia,” “names,” “seals” and “symbols.” However, note that other sections also exist (e.g., District of Columbia Code) which are not indexed under these terms.

• 4-H Club or 4-H Clubs, 18 U.S.C.  §707
• AmeriCorps, 42 U.S.C. § 5065; 45 C.F.R. 2540.500 Subpart E
• AMVETS [American Veterans], 36 U.S.C.  §22706
• America Espirito Sport Fraternite [see also United States Olympic Committee], 36 U.S.C.  §220506
• American Ex-Prisoners of War, 36 U.S.C.  §20907
• American Legion, 36 U.S.C.  §21705
• The American National Theater and Academy, 36 U.S.C.  §21904
• American Symphony Orchestra League, 36 U.S.C.  §22306
• American Veterans, 36 U.S.C.  §22706
• American War Mothers, 36 U.S.C.  §22505
• Big Brothers, 36 U.S.C.  §30106
• Big Brothers – Big Sisters of America, 36 U.S.C.  §30106
• The Big Brothers of America, Big Sisters International, Incorporated, 36 U.S.C.  §30106
• Big Sisters, 36 U.S.C.  §30106
• Blinded Veterans Association, 36 U.S.C.  §30306
• Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., 36 U.S.C.  §30507
• Board for Fundamental Education, 36 U.S.C.  §30706
• Boy Scouts of America, 36 U.S.C.  §30905
• CIA [Central Intelligence Agency], 50 U.S.C.  §403m
• CLF [Central Liquidity Facility], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• CMS [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services], 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Centennial of Flight Commission, 36 U.S.C.  §143
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS], 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Central Intelligence Agency [CIA], 50 U.S.C.  §403m
• Central Liquidity Facility, 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Citius Altius Fortius [see also United States Olympic Committee], 36 U.S.C.  §220506
• Civil Air Patrol, 36 U.S.C.  §40306
• Coast Guard [see United States Coast Guard], 14 U.S.C.  §639
• Coast Guard Auxiliary [see United States Coast Guard Auxiliary], 14 U.S.C.  §639
• Coast Guard Reserve [see United States Coast Guard Reserve], 14 U.S.C.  §639
• Commodity Credit Corporation, 15 U.S.C.  §714m
• Corporation for National and Community Service, 42 U.S.C. §5065; 45 C.F.R. §2540.520
• DEA [Drug Enforcement Administration], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• DHHS [Department of Health and Human Services], 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• DIA [Defense Intelligence Agency], 10 U.S.C.  §425
• DMA [Defense Mapping Agency], 10 U.S.C.  §425
• DOT [Department of the Treasury], 31 U.S.C.  §333
• Death Benefits Update, 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Defense Intelligence Agency [DIA], 10 U.S.C.  §425
• Defense Mapping Agency [DMA], 10 U.S.C.  §425
• Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Department of the Treasury, 31 U.S.C. §333  [DOT]
• Deposit Insurance [when used “as part of the business or firm name of a person, corporation, partnership, business trust, association or other business entity engaged in the banking, loan, building and loan, brokerage, factorage, insurance, indemnity, savings or trust business”], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Disabled American Veterans, 36 U.S.C.  §50305
• Drug Enforcement Administration [DEA], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• F.B.I. [Federal Bureau of Investigation], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• FFA [Future Farmers of America], 36 U.S.C.  §70907
• FHA [Federal Housing Administration], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Federal [when used “as part of the business or firm name of a person, corporation, partnership, business trust, association or other business entity engaged in the banking, loan, building and loan, brokerage, factorage, insurance, indemnity, savings or trust business”], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Federal [when used “in the course of collecting or aiding in the collection of private debts or obligations, or being engaged in furnishing private police, investigation, or other private detective services”], 18 U.S.C.  §712
• Federal Benefit Information, 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Final Supplemental Plan, 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• The Foundation of the Federal Bar Association, 36 U.S.C.  §70506
• Funeral Expenses, 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Federal Bureau of Investigation [F.B.I.], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Federal Deposit, 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Federal Deposit Insurance, 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Federal Home Loan Bank, 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, 12 U.S.C.  §1457
• Federal Housing Administration [FHA], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Federal intermediate credit bank, 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Federal National Mortgage Association, 12 U.S.C.  §1723a
• Foster Grandparents, 42 U.S.C. § 5065; 45 C.F.R. 2540.500 Subpart E
• Four-H Club or Four-H Clubs, 18 U.S.C.  §707
• Future Farmers of America [FFA], 36 U.S.C.  §70907
• Geneva Cross [also specific reference to the emblem of the Greek red cross on a white ground], 18 U.S.C.  §706
• Girl Scouts of America, 36 U.S.C.  §80305
• Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute, 18 U.S.C. §711a,  16 U.S.C. §580p-4;  36 C.F.R. §261.22
• The Golden Eagle [also specific reference to insignia of an American Golden Eagle (colored gold) and a family group (colored midnight blue) enclosed within a circle (colored white with a midnight blue border)], 18 U.S.C.  §715
• Government National Mortgage Association, 12 U.S.C. §1723a;  18 U.S.C.  §709
• HHS [Health and Human Services], 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• HUD [Department of Housing and Urban Development], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Health and Human Services [HHS], 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Housing and Home Finance Agency,18 U.S.C.  §709
• Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, 36 U.S.C.  §130106
• Last Best Place, Omnibus Appropriations Act, Pub. L. No. 111-8, §105, 123 Stat. 524 (2009)
• Learn and Serve America, 42 U.S.C. § 5065; 45 C.F.R. 2540.500 Subpart E
• Life Saving Service [see Coast Guard or United States Coast Guard], 14 U.S.C.  §639
• Lighthouse Service [see Coast Guard or United States Coast Guard], 14 U.S.C.  §639
• Little League or Little Leaguer, 36 U.S.C.  §130506
• Marine Corps, 10 U.S.C.  §7881
• Medicaid, 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Medicare, 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• The Military Chaplains Association of the United States of America, 36 U.S.C.  §140304
• NASA [National Aeronautics and Space Administration; also flags, logo, seal], 51 U.S.C.  §20141
• NCOA [Non Commissioned Officers Association of the United States of America], 36 U.S.C.  §154707
• NCUA [National Credit Union Administration], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• NCUSIF [National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• NGA [National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency], 10 U.S.C.  §425
• NIMA [National Imagery and Mapping Agency], 10 U.S.C.  §425
• NRO [National Reconnaissance Office], 10 U.S.C.  §425
• NSA [National Security Agency], 50 U.S.C.  §402
• National [when used “as part of the business or firm name of a person, corporation, partnership, business trust, association or other business entity engaged in the banking, loan, building and loan, brokerage, factorage, insurance, indemnity, savings or trust business”], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• National [when used “in the course of collecting or aiding in the collection of private debts or obligations, or being engaged in furnishing private police, investigation, or other private detective services”], 18 U.S.C.  §712
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA; also flags, logo, seal], 51 U.S.C.  §20141
• National Civilian Community Corps, 42 U.S.C. § 5065; 45 C.F.R. 2540.500 Subpart E
• National Conference of State Societies, Washington, District of Columbia, 36 U.S.C.  §150507
• National Conference on Citizenship, 36 U.S.C.  §150707
• National Credit Union, 18 U.S.C.  §709
• National Credit Union Administration [NCUA], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• National Credit Union Board, 18 U.S.C.  §709
• National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund [NCUSIF], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency [NGA], 10 U.S.C.  §425
• National Imagery and Mapping Agency [NIMA], 10 U.S.C.  §425
• National Music Council, 36 U.S.C.  §152306
• National Reconnaissance Office [NRO], 10 U.S.C.  §425
• National Safety Council, 36 U.S.C.  §152506
• National Society, Daughters of the American Colonists, 36 U.S.C.  §152907
• National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 36 U.S.C.  §153104
• National Security Agency [NSA], 50 U.S.C.  §402
• National Senior Service Corps, 42 U.S.C. §5065; 45 C.F.R. §2540.520
• National Tropical Botanical Garden, 36 U.S.C.  §153506
• National Woman’s Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic, 36 U.S.C.  §153706
• Naval Sea Cadet Corps, 36 U.S.C.  §154106,
• Non Commissioned Officers Association, 36 U.S.C.  §154707
• Non Commissioned Officers Association of the United States of America [NCOA], 36 U.S.C.  §154707
• ODNI [Office of the Director of National Intelligence], 50 U.S.C.  §442b
• OPIC [Overseas Private Investment], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Office of the Director of National Intelligence [ODNI], 50 U.S.C.  §442b
• Olympiad [see also United States Olympic Committee], 36 U.S.C.  §220506
• Olympic [and other names;also United States Olympic Committee and specific reference to (1) the symbol of the International Olympic Committee, consisting of five interlocking rings, and (2) the emblem consisting of an escutcheon having a blue chief and vertically extending red and white bars on the base with five interlocked rings displayed on the chief], 36 U.S.C.  §220506
• Overseas Private Investment [OPI], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Overseas Private Investment Corporation, 18 U.S.C.  §709
• PHA [Public Housing Administration], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Pan-American [see also United States Olympic Committee], 36 U.S.C.  §220506
• Paralympic [see also United States Olympic Committee], 36 U.S.C.  §220506
• Paralympiad [see also United States Olympic Committee], 36 U.S.C.  §220506
• Paralyzed Veterans of America, 36 U.S.C.  §170105
• Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, 36 U.S.C.  §170307
• Peace Corps, 22 U.S.C.  §2518
• Postal Service, 18 U.S.C.  §1729
• Presidio Trust, 16 U.S.C.  §460bb
• Public Housing Administration [PHA], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Red Crescent [also Red Crescent emblem], 18 U.S.C.  §706a
• Red Cross [also specific reference to the emblem of the Greek red cross on a white ground], 18 U.S.C.  §706
• Reserve [when used “as part of the business or firm name of a person, corporation, partnership, business trust, association or other business entity engaged in the banking, loan, building and loan, brokerage, factorage, insurance, indemnity, savings or trust business”], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Reserve Officers Association of the United States, 36 U.S.C.  §190106
• Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, 42 U.S.C. § 5065; 45 C.F.R. 2540.500 Subpart E
• Retired Enlisted Association, 36 U.S.C.  §190307
• The Retired Enlisted Association, Incorporated [TREA], 36 U.S.C.  §190307
• SSA [Social Security Administration], 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• SSI [Supplemental Security Income Program], 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Secret Service, 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Secret Service Uniformed Division [U.D.], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Secretary of the Treasury [and title of any other officer or employee], 31 U.S.C.  §333
• Senior Companion Program, 42 U.S.C. § 5065; 45 C.F.R. 2540.500 Subpart E
• Senior Corps, 42 U.S.C. § 5065; 45 C.F.R. 2540.500 Subpart E
• Share Insurance, 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Smokey Bear, 18 U.S.C. §711;  16 U.S.C. §580p;  36 C.F.R. §261.22
• Social Security [and symbols and emblems], 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Social Security Account, 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Social Security Administration [SSA], 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Social Security System, 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 36 U.S.C.  §200306
• Supplemental Security Income Program [SSI], 42 U.S.C.  §1320b-10
• Swiss Confederation [with specific reference to the coat of arms, consisting of an upright white cross with equal arms and lines on a red ground], 18 U.S.C.  §708
• TREA [The Retired Enlisted Association], 36 U.S.C.  §190307
• Third Protocol Emblem, 18 U.S.C.  §706a
• Treasurer of the United States [and title of any other officer or employee], 31 U.S.C.  §333
• U.D. [Secret Service Uniformed Division], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• USCG [United States Coast Guard], 14 U.S.C.  §639
• USCGR [United States Coast Guard Reserve], 14 U.S.C.  §639
• USHA [United States Housing Authority], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• USMC or U.S.M.C. [United States Marine Corps; and seal, logo, emblem and others], 10 U.S.C.  §7881
• U.S.M.S. [United States Marshals Service or U.S. Marshals Service; and logo or insignia], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• USO [United Service Organizations, Incorporated], 36 U.S.C.  §220106
• U.S.S.S. [United States Secret Service], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• United Service Organizations, Incorporated [USO], 36 U.S.C.  §220106
• United States or U.S. [when used “as part of the business or firm name of a person, corporation, partnership, business trust, association or other business entity engaged in the banking, loan, building and loan, brokerage, factorage, insurance, indemnity, savings or trust business”], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• United States or U.S. [when used “in the course of collecting or aiding in the collection of private debts or obligations, or being engaged in furnishing private police, investigation, or other private detective services”], 18 U.S.C.  §712
• United States Capitol Historical Society, 36 U.S.C.  §220306
• United States Coast Guard [USCG], 14 U.S.C.  §639
• United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, 14 U.S.C.  §639
• United States Coast Guard Reserve [USCGR], 14 U.S.C.  §639
• United States Housing Authority [USHA], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• United States Marshal or U.S. Marshal, 18 U.S.C.  §709
• United States Marshals Service or U.S. Marshals Service [U.S.M.S.; and logo or insignia], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• United States Marine Corps [USMC; and seal, logo, emblem and others], 10 U.S.C.  §7881
• United States Mint or U.S. Mint, 18 U.S.C.  §709
• United States of America Korean War Commemoration, 10 U.S.C.  §113
• United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, 10 U.S.C.  §113
• United States Olympic Committee [USOC], 36 U.S.C.  §220506
• United States Railway Association, 45 U.S.C.  §711
• United States Savings Bond, 31 U.S.C.  §333
• United States Secret Service [U.S.S.S.], 18 U.S.C.  §709
• Valles Calder Trust, 16 U.S.C.  §698v-4
• 369th Veterans’ Association, 36 U.S.C.  §210307
• Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, 36 U.S.C.  §230105
• Veterans of World War I of the United States of America, Incorporated, 36 U.S.C.  §230306
• Vietnam Veterans of America, 36 U.S.C.  §230507
• Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., 36 U.S.C.  §230507
• VISTA, 42 U.S.C. §5065; 45 C.F.R. §2540.520
• White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance, 36 U.S.C.  §116
• Woodsy Owl, 18 U.S.C. §711a,  16 U.S.C. §580p;  36 C.F.R. §261.22

SOME SECTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES CODE (USC) RELATING TO TRADEMARKS

(This is a partial list of sections relating to trademarks.)

• 7 U.S.C. §136, The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, relating to the requirements for labeling of economic poisons.
• 7 U.S.C. §§1551-1610,  The Federal Seed Act, relating to requirements for labeling of seeds in interstate commerce.
• 15 U.S.C. §1,  Sherman Act (Sec. 1), as amended by Miller-Tydings Act, relating to restraint of trade.
• 15 U.S.C. §45,  relating to unfair methods of competition.
• 15 U.S.C. §52,  relating to false advertisements.
• 15 U.S.C. §68,  The Wool Products Labeling Act, relating to the labeling of wool products.
• 15 U.S.C. §69,  The Fur Products Labeling Act, relating to the labeling of fur and fur products.
• 15 U.S.C. §70,  the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act, relating to the use of trademarks and names in the advertising or labeling of textile fiber products.
• 15 U.S.C. §297,  relating to use of marks, trade names, words and labeling in connection with the importation, exportation or carriage in interstate commerce of merchandise made of gold or silver or their alloys.
• 15 U.S.C. §§1261-1273,  relating to the labeling of hazardous substances.
• 15 U.S.C. §1511,  relating to jurisdiction of Department of Commerce over Patent and Trademark Office.
• 15 U.S.C. §§5401 et seq. , relating to the recordation of insignia of manufacturers and private label distributors to ensure the traceability of a fastener to its manufacturer or private label distributor. ( See notice at 1192 TMOG 19 (Nov. 5, 1996)).
• 18 U.S.C. §701,  relating to use of any badge, identification card, or other insignia, or any colorable imitation thereof, of departments, agencies, and independent offices of the United States.
• 18 U.S.C. §704,  relating to the unauthorized use of any badge, decoration, or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof, of the armed forces of the United States.
• 18 U.S.C. §705,  relating to the unauthorized use on merchandise of any badge, medal, emblem, or other insignia, or any colorable imitation thereof, of any veteran’s organization incorporated by enactment of Congress or of any organization formally recognized by any such veteran’s organization as an auxiliary thereof.
• 18 U.S.C. §709,  relating to false advertising or misuse of names to indicate federal agency. Also, prohibitions against using certain terms and initials within the financial, insurance, agricultural, housing, protection, investigatory and other fields.
• 18 U.S.C. §709,  relating to use, manufacture, or sale of any cremation urn of a design approved by the Secretary of Defense for use to retain the cremated remains of deceased members of the armed forces or an urn which is a colorable imitation of the approved design, except when authorized under regulation made pursuant to law.
• 18 U.S.C. §712,  relating to misuse by collecting agencies or private detective agencies of names, emblems, and insignia to indicate federal agency.
• 18 U.S.C. §713,  relating to the use of likenesses of the great seal of the United States, and of the seals of the President and Vice President.
• 18 U.S.C. §1001,  relating to statements, representations, writings or documents made to any department or agency of the United States.
• 18 U.S.C. §1158,  relating to counterfeiting or imitating Government trademarks for Indian products.
• 18 U.S.C. §2320,  relating to criminal penalties for trafficking in counterfeit goods and services.
• 19 U.S.C. §1337(a),  Tariff Act of 1930, relating to unfair practices in import trade.
• 19 U.S.C. §1526(a),  Tariff Act of 1930, barring importation into the United States of merchandise of foreign manufacture bearing a trademark registered in the Patent and Trademark Office by a person domiciled in the United States if copy of the registration certificate has been filed with the Secretary of the Treasury unless written consent of the trademark owner has been secured.
• 19 U.S.C.  §2111 et seq. , providing authority for trade agreements and also annual reports to Congress on barriers to trade include the treatment of intellectual property rights among acts, policies, and practices that constitute barriers to trade.
• 19 U.S.C. §2411, relating to foreign countries’ provision for adequate and effective protection of the intellectual property rights of U.S. nationals.
• 19 U.S.C. §2462(c),  relating to the consideration of intellectual property rights as a factor for foreign countries to receive benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
• 21 U.S.C. §§603-623,  The Meat Inspecting Act, relating to the inspection and labeling of meat and products.
• 21 U.S.C. §§301,  321-392, The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, relating to the requirements for labeling of food, drugs, and cosmetics; avoiding trademarks in establishing official names.
• 21 U.S.C. §457,  Poultry Products Inspection Act, relating to requirements for labeling of poultry products in interstate commerce.
• 27 U.S.C. §§201-219a,  The Federal Alcohol Administration Act, relating to certificates of label approval of alcoholic beverages.
• 28 U.S.C. §1254,  relating to review of cases by the Supreme Court.
• 28 U.S.C. §1295,  relating to jurisdiction of United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
• 28 U.S.C. §1338,  relating to jurisdiction of District Courts in trademark suits.
• 29 U.S.C. §§655,  657, 665, Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, relating to letters OSHA.
• 42 U.S.C. §1320b-10,  relating to misuse of Social Security or Medicare names, symbols, emblems.
• 48 U.S.C. §734,  Puerto Rico, relating to statutes applicable to.
• 48 U.S.C. §§1405(q),  1574(c) and 1643, Virgin Islands, relating to statutes applicable to, and to the non-applicability of certain provisions of the Trademark Act to the Virgin Islands.
• 48 U.S.C. §1421(c),  Guam, relating to statutes applicable to ( see also Public Law 87-845, October 18, 1962, 4-CZC-471, Canal Zone Code, relating to the application of U.S. patent, trademark and copyright laws in the Canal Zone.)
• 50 U.S.C. Appendix  43, Trading with the Enemy Act, amending, providing for disposition of vested trademarks.

District of Columbia Code

Section 22-3401, relating to use of District of Columbia and other related names and initials used in connection with investigatory or collection services. (Oct. 16, 1962, 76 Stat. 1071)