# TMEP § 1205.01(a): Examination Procedures for Marks Comprising a Red Crystal or Red Crescent on a White Background, or the Phrases “Red Crescent” or “Third Protocol Emblem”

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1205.01(a)

## Section

- **Citation:** TMEP § 1205.01(a)
- **Heading:** Examination Procedures for Marks Comprising a Red Crystal or Red Crescent on a White Background, or the Phrases “Red Crescent” or “Third Protocol Emblem”
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** USPTO TMEP / Chapter 1200 - Substantive Examination of Applications / TMEP § 1205.01(a)

## Text

On December 8, 2005, the United States signed the
Third Protocol Additional to the 1949 Geneva Conventions relating to the
Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem (the "Protocol"). The Protocol
creates two new distinctive emblems: (1) the Third Protocol Emblem, composed of
a red diamond on a white background (shown below); and (2) the Red Crescent,
composed of a red crescent on a white background (shown below).
Effective January 12, 2007, Public Law 109-481,
120 Stat. 3666, created a new criminal statutory provision, 18 U.S.C. §706a,  to
prohibit the use of the distinctive emblems the Red Crystal and the Red
Crescent, or any imitation thereof, as well as the designations "Third Protocol
Emblem" and "Red Crescent," except by those authorized to wear, display, or use
them under the provisions of the Geneva Conventions. Geneva Distinctive Emblems
Protection Act of 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-481, 120 Stat. 3666 (2007). The statute
carves out an exception for use of any such emblem, sign, insignia, or words
that were lawfully used on or before December 8, 2005, if use of these would not
appear in time of armed conflict to confer the protections of the Geneva
Conventions of August 12, 1949.
Id.
The provisions of 18
U.S.C. §706a  closely mirror the existing provision in 18 U.S.C. §706  for the
American National Red Cross (
see
TMEP
§1205.01
).

## Nearby sections

- [TMEP § 1201 Ownership of Mark](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.md)
- [TMEP § 1201.01 Claim of Ownership May Be Based on Use By Related Companies](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.01.md)
- [TMEP § 1201.02(a) Identifying the Applicant Properly](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.02(a).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.02(c) Correcting Errors in How the Applicant Is Identified](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.02(c).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.02(d) Operating Divisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.02(d).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.02(e) Changes in Ownership After Application Is Filed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.02(e).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.03(a) No Explanation of Use of Mark by Related Companies or Applicant’s Control Over Use of Mark by Related Companies Required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.03(a).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.03(b) Wholly Owned Related Companies](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.03(b).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.03(c) Common Stockholders, Directors, or Officers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.03(c).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.03(e) License and Franchise Situations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.03(e).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.04 Inquiry Regarding Parties Named on Specimens or Elsewhere in Record](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.04.md)
- [TMEP § 1201.05 Acceptable Claim of Ownership Based on Applicant’s Own Use](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.05.md)
- [TMEP § 1201.06(a) Applicant Is Merely Distributor or Importer](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.06(a).md)
- [TMEP § 1201.06(b) Goods Manufactured in a Country Other than Where Applicant Is Located](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1201.06(b).md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/TMEP_S1205.01(a). Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.