US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

10 U.S.C. § 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.

Pub. L. 105–107, title V, § 503(a)111 Stat. 2262Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title IX, § 921(d)(6)117 Stat. 1569Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title IX, § 931(a)(6)122 Stat. 285Pub. L. 110–417122 Stat. 4576Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title X, § 1073(c)(10)123 Stat. 2475(Added and amended , (b), , ; , , ; , , ; , [div. A], title IX, § 932(a)(6), , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Codification

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

Prior Provisions

Pub. L. 103–178, title V, § 503(a)(1)107 Stat. 2038Pub. L. 104–201, div. A, title XI110 Stat. 2683section 424 of this titleA prior section 425, added , , , related to disclosure of information about personnel at National Reconnaissance Office prior to repeal by , §§ 1112(d), 1124, , , 2688, effective . See .

Amendments

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 repealed .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

Pub. L. 110–181Pub. L. 110–417, § 932(a)(6)Pub. L. 110–417, § 932(a)(6)Pub. L. 111–842008—Subsec. (a). and , amended subsec. (a) identically, substituting “Director of National Intelligence” for “Director of Central Intelligence” in introductory provisions. , was repealed by .

Pub. L. 108–1362003—Subsec. (a)(5). added par. (5).

Pub. L. 105–107, § 503(b)section 202(b) of this title1997—Subsec. (b). , renumbered as subsec. (b) of this section and inserted heading.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

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

Effective Date of 2009 Amendment

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