Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 18 : Section 1159


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/19/04
Section 1159. Misrepresentation of Indian produced goods and products

      (a) It is unlawful to offer or display for sale or sell any good,
    with or without a Government trademark, in a manner that falsely
    suggests it is Indian produced, an Indian product, or the product
    of a particular Indian or Indian tribe or Indian arts and crafts
    organization, resident within the United States.
      (b) Whoever knowingly violates subsection (a) shall - 
        (1) in the case of a first violation, if an individual, be
      fined not more than $250,000 or imprisoned not more than five
      years, or both, and, if a person other than an individual, be
      fined not more than $1,000,000; and
        (2) in the case of subsequent violations, if an individual, be
      fined not more than $1,000,000 or imprisoned not more than
      fifteen years, or both, and, if a person other than an
      individual, be fined not more than $5,000,000.

      (c) As used in this section - 
        (1) the term "Indian" means any individual who is a member of
      an Indian tribe, or for the purposes of this section is certified
      as an Indian artisan by an Indian tribe;
        (2) the terms "Indian product" and "product of a particular
      Indian tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization" has the
      meaning given such term in regulations which may be promulgated
      by the Secretary of the Interior;
        (3) the term "Indian tribe" means - 
          (A) any Indian tribe, band, nation, Alaska Native village, or
        other organized group or community which is recognized as
        eligible for the special programs and services provided by the
        United States to Indians because of their status as Indians; or
          (B) any Indian group that has been formally recognized as an
        Indian tribe by a State legislature or by a State commission or
        similar organization legislatively vested with State tribal
        recognition authority; and

        (4) the term "Indian arts and crafts organization" means any
      legally established arts and crafts marketing organization
      composed of members of Indian tribes.

      (d) In the event that any provision of this section is held
    invalid, it is the intent of Congress that the remaining provisions
    of this section shall continue in full force and effect.



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