--- kind: "section" citation: "10 U.S.C. § 425" title: "10" title_heading: "Armed Forces" number: "425" heading: "Prohibition of unauthorized use of name, initials, or seal: specified intelligence agencies" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/425" units: - "Subtitle A — General Military Law" - "Part I — Organization and General Military Powers" - "Chapter 21 — Department of Defense Intelligence Matters" - "Subchapter I — General Matters" --- # §425. Prohibition of unauthorized use of name, initials, or seal: specified intelligence agencies - (a) **Prohibition.—** Except with the written permission of both the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, no [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) 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](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) and the Director, any of the following (or any colorable imitation thereof): - (1) The words “Defense Intelligence [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3)”, the initials “DIA”, or the seal of the Defense Intelligence [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3). - (2) The words “National Reconnaissance Office”, the initials “NRO”, or the seal of the National Reconnaissance Office. - (3) The words “National [Imagery](/usc/10/467.md?p=2-A) and Mapping [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3)”, the initials “NIMA”, or the seal of the National [Imagery](/usc/10/467.md?p=2-A) and Mapping [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3). - (4) The words “Defense Mapping [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3)”, the initials “DMA”, or the seal of the Defense Mapping [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3). - (5) The words “National Geospatial-Intelligence [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3)”, the initials “NGA,” or the seal of the National Geospatial-Intelligence [Agency](/usc/10/3451.md?p=3). - (b) **Authority To Enjoin Violations.—** Whenever it appears to the Attorney General that any [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) is engaged or is about to engage in an act or practice which constitutes or will constitute conduct prohibited by [subsection (a)](#a), the Attorney General may initiate a civil proceeding in a district court of the [United States](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) 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](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-1) or to any [person](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) or class of [persons](/usc/10/2700.md?p=2) for whose protection the action is brought. ## Source credit (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.) ## Notes ### 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.