N.Y. General Business Law Section 138
Use of certain governmental, military or naval names

1.

It shall be unlawful and is prohibited for any person, firm, corporation or association, not an agency or instrumentality of the United States government, selling or offering for sale goods, wares or merchandise, to use or cause or permit to be used in the corporate or trade name or description of the seller or of the place where the goods, wares or merchandise are offered for sale, any of the following words or expressions, viz., “army,” “navy,” “marine corps,” “marines,” “coast guard,” “government,” “post exchange,” “P. X.,” or “G. I.,” unless there is displayed in conjunction therewith, in letters of at least the same size as such words or expressions, the words, “we sell articles acquired from the United States government only,” or “we sell both articles acquired from the United States government and non-government articles,” as the case may be.

2.

No person, firm, corporation or association selling or offering for sale any article of merchandise, shall in any manner represent, contrary to fact, that the article was made for, or acquired directly or indirectly from, the United States government or its military or naval forces or any agency of the United States government, or that the article conforms to government specifications or requirements, or that it has been disposed of by the United States government.

Source: Section 138 — Use of certain governmental, military or naval names, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/GBS/138 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Dec. 6, 2025).

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Verified:
Dec. 6, 2025

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 138. Use of certain governmental, military or naval names's source at nysenate​.gov

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