§ 474A. — Deterrents to counterfeiting of obligations and securities.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 18USC474A]
TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I--CRIMES
CHAPTER 25--COUNTERFEITING AND FORGERY
Sec. 474A. Deterrents to counterfeiting of obligations and
securities
(a) Whoever has in his control or possession, after a distinctive
paper has been adopted by the Secretary of the Treasury for the
obligations and other securities of the United States, any similar paper
adapted to the making of any such obligation or other security, except
under the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury, is guilty of a
class B felony.
(b) Whoever has in his control or possession, after a distinctive
counterfeit deterrent has been adopted by the Secretary of the Treasury
for the obligations and other securities of the United States by
publication in the Federal Register, any essentially identical feature
or device adapted to the making of any such obligation or security,
except under the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury, is guilty
of a class B felony.
(c) As used in this section--
(1) the term ``distinctive paper'' includes any distinctive
medium of which currency is made, whether of wood pulp, rag, plastic
substrate, or other natural or artificial fibers or materials; and
(2) the term ``distinctive counterfeit deterrent'' includes any
ink, watermark, seal, security thread, optically variable device, or
other feature or device;
(A) in which the United States has an exclusive property
interest; or
(B) which is not otherwise in commercial use or in the
public domain and which the Secretary designates as being
necessary in preventing the counterfeiting of obligations or
other securities of the United States.
(Added Pub. L. 102-550, title XV, Sec. 1553(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat.
4070; amended Pub. L. 104-208, div. A, title I, Sec. 101(f) [title VI,
Sec. 648(a)], title II, Sec. 2603(a), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009-
314, 3009-367, 3009-470.)
Amendments
1996--Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 104-208, Secs. 101(f) [title VI,
Sec. 648(a)] and 2603(a), amended section identically, substituting
``class B felony'' for ``class C felony''.
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 104-208 effective Sept. 30, 1996, and to remain
in effect for each fiscal year following Sept. 30, 1996, see section
101(f) [title VI, Sec. 648(c)] of Pub. L. 104-208, set out as a note
under section 474 of this title.
