N.Y. General Business Law Section 141
Unlawful use of the name United Nations

No person, firm or corporation shall, without express authority from the secretary general of the United Nations, assume, adopt or use as, or as a part of a corporate, assumed or trade name, for advertising purposes, or for the purposes of trade, or for any other purpose, the name United Nations, or abbreviation thereof; or any official emblem or other official insignia thereof; nor shall any person, firm or corporation, with intent to deceive or mislead the public, for any of such purposes, assume, adopt or use any name, designation or style, or simulation thereof, or designation or style, or simulation thereof, which may deceive or mislead the public as to the true identity of such person, firm or corporation or as to the official connection of such person, firm or corporation with the United Nations. A violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor. Whenever there shall be an actual or threatened violation of this section, an application may be made to a court or justice having jurisdiction to issue an injunction, upon notice to the defendant of not less than five days, to enjoin and restrain such actual or threatened violation; and if it shall appear to the satisfaction of the court or justice that the defendant is in fact, assuming, adopting or using such name, or is about to assume, adopt or use such name, and that the assumption, adoption or use of such name was not expressly authorized by the secretary general of the United Nations, and may deceive or mislead the public, an injunction may be issued by such court or justice, enjoining and restraining such actual or threatened violation without requiring proof that any person has in fact been deceived or mislead thereby. This section shall not prevent the continued use of a corporate name or trade name heretofore lawfully used.

Source: Section 141 — Unlawful use of the name United Nations, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/GBS/141 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Feb. 15, 2025).

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Accessed:
Feb. 15, 2025

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 141’s source at nysenate​.gov

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