Us Code § 425 - Prohibition of unauthorized use of name, initials, or seal: specified intelligence agencies

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 425 — Prohibition of unauthorized use of name, initials, or seal: specified intelligence agencies, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 425. Prohibition of unauthorized use of name, initials, or seal: specified intelligence agencies

(a) Prohibition.—Except with the written permission of both the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, no person may knowingly use, in connection with any merchandise, retail product, impersonation, solicitation, or commercial activity in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that such use is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Secretary and the Director, any of the following (or any colorable imitation thereof):

(1) The words "Defense Intelligence Agency", the initials "DIA", or the seal of the Defense Intelligence Agency.

(2) The words "National Reconnaissance Office", the initials "NRO", or the seal of the National Reconnaissance Office.

(3) The words "National Imagery and Mapping Agency", the initials "NIMA", or the seal of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency.

(4) The words "Defense Mapping Agency", the initials "DMA", or the seal of the Defense Mapping Agency.

(5) The words "National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency", the initials "NGA," or the seal of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.


(b) Authority To Enjoin Violations.—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 actions 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.

(Added and amended Pub. L. 105–107, title V, §503(a), (b), Nov. 20, 1997, 111 Stat. 2262; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title IX, §921(d)(6), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1569; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title IX, §931(a)(6), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 285; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title IX, §932(a)(6), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4576; Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title X, §1073(c)(10), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2475.)


Editorial Notes

Codification

The text of section 202(b) of this title, which was transferred to this section by Pub. L. 105–107, §503(b), was based on Pub. L. 97–269, title V, §501(a), Sept. 27, 1982, 96 Stat. 1145, §191; renumbered §201, Pub. L. 99–433, title III, §301(a)(1), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1019; renumbered §202, Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title IX, §922(a)(1), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1453.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 425, added Pub. L. 103–178, title V, §503(a)(1), Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2038, related to disclosure of information about personnel at National Reconnaissance Office prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title XI, §§1112(d), 1124, Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2683, 2688, effective Oct. 1, 1996. See section 424 of this title.

Amendments

2009—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–84 repealed Pub. L. 110–417, §932(a)(6). See 2008 Amendment note below.

2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–181 and Pub. L. 110–417, §932(a)(6), amended subsec. (a) identically, substituting "Director of National Intelligence" for "Director of Central Intelligence" in introductory provisions. Pub. L. 110–417, §932(a)(6), was repealed by Pub. L. 111–84.

2003—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 108–136 added par. (5).

1997—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–107, §503(b), renumbered section 202(b) of this title as subsec. (b) of this section and inserted heading.


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Reference to National Imagery and Mapping Agency considered to be reference to National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, see section 921(a) of Pub. L. 108–136, set out as a note under section 441 of this title.

Effective Date of 2009 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title X, §1073(c), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2474, provided that the amendment made by section 1073(c)(10) is effective as of Oct. 14, 2008, and as if included in Pub. L. 110–417 as enacted.

About This Section

10 U.S.C. § 425 is part of Title 10 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 10 U.S.C. § 425. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 425

What does United States Code § 425 cover?

Section 425 ("Prohibition of unauthorized use of name, initials, or seal: specified intelligence agencies") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

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