U.S. Code » Title 18 » Part PART I— CRIMES › Chapter CHAPTER 33— EMBLEMS, INSIGNIA, AND NAMES

18 U.S.C. § 706

Red Cross

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Whoever wears or displays the sign of the Red Cross or any insignia colored in imitation thereof for the fraudulent purpose of inducing the belief that he is a member of or an agent for the American National Red Cross; or

Whoever, whether a corporation, association or person, other than the American National Red Cross and its duly authorized employees and agents and the sanitary and hospital authorities of the armed forces of the United States, uses the emblem of the Greek red cross on a white ground, or any sign or insignia made or colored in imitation thereof or the words “Red Cross” or “Geneva Cross” or any combination of these words—

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

This section shall not make unlawful the use of any such emblem, sign, insignia or words which was lawful on the date of enactment of this title.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1998–2025 · leading case: Johnson & Johnson v. the Am. Nat. Red Cross, 552 F. Supp. 2d 434 (S.D.N.Y. 2008).
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Johnson & Johnson v. the Am. Nat. Red Cross, 552 F. Supp. 2d 434 (S.D.N.Y. 2008). · cites it 11× “Section 706 of the federal criminal code, 18 U.S.C. § 706 , provides: Whoever wears or displays the sign of the Red Cross or any insignia colored in imitation thereof for the fraudulent purpose of inducing the belief that he is a member of or an agent for the American National…”
Charter West Bank v. Riddle, 989 N.W.2d 428 (Neb. 2023). “22 18 U.S.C. § 706 (2018) (protecting American National Red Cross).”
Hartog & Co. AS v. Swix. Com, 136 F. Supp. 2d 531 (E.D. Va. 2001). “Violations of 18 U.S.C. § 706 and 36 U.S.C. § 220506 , which are also covered by the ACPA, are not in issue in this action.”
The Am. Legion v. Richard G. Matthew, 144 F.3d 498 (7th Cir. 1998). “Congress did not forget The American Legion when carving up the lexicon. But what it received in 36 U.”
Vertex Pharm. Inc. v. United States Dep't of Health & Human Servs. (D.D.C. 2025). · cites it 5× “Take, for example, 18 U.S.C. § 706 , which makes it a crime for a person to “wear[] or display[] the sign of the Red Cross .”
4SEMO.COM, Inc. v. S. Illinois Storm Shelte (7th Cir. 2019). “18 U.S.C. § 706 (emphasis added). This language is straightforward: only the American Red Cross may use the emblem of a red Greek cross on a white background or an insignia “made or colored in imitation thereof.”
4SEMO.COM, Inc. v. S. Illinois Storm Shelte (7th Cir. 2019). “18 U.S.C. § 706 (emphasis added). This language is straightforward: only the American Red Cross may use the emblem of a red Greek cross on a white background or an insignia “made or colored in imitation thereof.”
4SEMO.COM, Inc. v. S. Illinois Storm Shelte (7th Cir. 2019). “18 U.S.C. § 706 (emphasis added). This language is straightforward: only the American Red Cross may use the emblem of a red Greek cross on a white background or an insignia “made or colored in imitation thereof.”
Cornette v. Graver (W.D. Pa. 2020). “§ 1125(d)(1)(A)(ii)(IID); see 18 U.S.C. § 706 ; 36 U.S.C. § 220506 . 43 to a site that might harm the goodwill the mark represents, “either for commercial gain or with the intent to tarnish or disparage the mark” through the creation of a likelihood of confusion as to the source…”
Pharm. Coalition for Patient Access v. United States (4th Cir. 2025). “For example, 18 U.S.C. § 706 proscribes wearing Red Cross emblems or insignia for the fraudulent purpose of inducing the belief that the wearer is a member thereof.”
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