32 C.F.R. Subpart C—Commercial Use of Heraldic Designs
Title 32 - National Defense
The policy of the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force is to restrict the use of military designs for the needs or the benefit of personnel of their Services. (a) Except as authorized in writing by the Department of the Army or the Department of the Air Force, as applicable, the manufacture of commercial articles incorporating designs or likenesses of official Army/Air Force heraldic items is prohibited. However, certain designs or likenesses of insignia such as badges or organizational insignia may be incorporated in articles manufactured for sale provided that permission has been granted as specified in paragraphs (a) (1) and (2) of this section. (1) Designs approved for use of the Army. The Director, The Institute of Heraldry, 9325 Gunston Road, Room S–112, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060–5579, is responsible for granting permission for the incorporation of certain Army insignia designs and the Army emblem in commercial articles manufactured for sale. Permission for such use will be in writing. Commanders of units authorized a SSI or DUI may authorize the reproduction of their SSI or DUI on commercial articles such as shirts, tie tacks, cups, or plaques. Permission for use of a SSI or DUI will be submitted in writing to the commander concerned. Authorization for incorporation of designs or likenesses of designs in commercial items will be granted only to those manufacturers who agree to offer these items for sale only to Army and Air Force Exchange Service and outlets that sell primarily to military personnel and their dependents. (2) Designs approved for use of the Air Force. Headquarters, Air Force Personnel Center, Chief, Commander's Programs Branch (HQ AFPC/DPSFC), 550 C Street West, Suite 37, Randolph AFB, TX 78150–4739, is responsible for granting permission for the incorporation of certain Air Force designs for commercial articles manufactured for sale. The Commander, Air Force Historical Research Agency, AFHRA/RSO, Maxwell AFB, AL 36112–6678, is responsible for granting permission for the incorporation of the coat of arms, crest, seal and organizational emblems. Such permission will be in writing. Authorization for incorporation of designs or likenesses of designs in commercial items will be granted only to those manufacturers who agree to offer these items for sale only to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, or to those outlets that sell primarily to military personnel and their dependents. (b) In the case of the Honorable Service lapel button, a general exception is made to permit the incorporation of that design in articles manufactured for public sale provided that such articles are not suitable for wear as lapel buttons or pins. (a) The photographing, printing, or, in any manner making or executing any engraving, photograph, print, or impression in the likeness of any decoration, service medal, service ribbon, badge, lapel button, insignia, or other device, or the colorable imitation thereof, of a design prescribed by the Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Air Force for use by members of the Army or the Air Force is authorized provided that such reproduction does not bring discredit upon the military service and is not used to defraud or to misrepresent the identification or status of an individual, organization, society, or other group of persons. (b) The use for advertising purposes of any engraving, photograph, print, or impression of the likeness of any Department of the Army or Department of the Air Force decoration, service medal, service ribbon, badge, lapel button, insignia, or other device (except the Honorable Service lapel button) is prohibited without prior approval, in writing, by the Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Air Force except when used to illustrate a particular article that is offered for sale. Request for use of Army insignia in advertisements or promotional materials will be processed through public affairs channels in accordance with AR 360–5, paragraph 3–37. (c) The reproduction in any manner of the likeness of any identification card prescribed by Department of the Army or Department of the Air Force is prohibited without prior approval in writing by the Secretary of the Army or Secretary of the Air Force. (a) The wearing of any decoration, service medal, badge, service ribbon, lapel button, or insignia prescribed or authorized by the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force by any person not properly authorized to wear such device, or the use of any decoration, service medal, badge, service ribbon, lapel button, or insignia to misrepresent the identification or status of the person by whom such is worn is prohibited. Any person who violates the provision of this section is subject to punishment as prescribed in the statutes referred to in §507.5 of this part. (b) Mere possession by a person of any of the articles prescribed in §507.8 of this part is authorized provided that such possession is not used to defraud or misrepresent the identification or status of the individual concerned. (c) Articles specified in §507.8 of this part, or any distinctive parts including suspension ribbons and service ribbons) or colorable imitations thereof, will not be used by any organization, society, or other group of persons without prior approval in writing by the Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Air Force.
Title 32: National Defense
PART 507—MANUFACTURE AND SALE OF DECORATIONS, MEDALS, BADGES, INSIGNIA, COMMERCIAL USE OF HERALDIC DESIGNS AND HERALDIC QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAM
Subpart C—Commercial Use of Heraldic Designs
§ 507.10 Incorporation of designs or likenesses of approved designs in commercial articles.
§ 507.11 Reproduction of designs.
§ 507.12 Possession and wearing.
