For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, July 12, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Dan Boren today announced legislation to prohibit the unauthorized commercial use of names and images of American service men and women.  H.R. 5755, the Soldiers Targeted by Offensive Profiteering Act (STOP Act), comes as vendors of anti-war merchandise continue to use the names and images of soldiers in products without permission despite objections from those soldiers’ families.

 

“We have an obligation to protect fallen soldiers and their families from exploitation,” Boren said.  “They gave their lives for this country, and their memory deserves to be treated with some common decency.”

 

The bill requires that in order to use the name or image of a member or former member of the U.S. Armed Forces in a manner that associates them with that service, permission must be obtained in writing from the soldier.  If the soldier is deceased, the family must grant permission.  The U.S. Attorney General is granted the authority to seek an injunction in federal court against violators.

 

“Regardless of how people feel about the war, I think we can all get behind the idea that profiting from a soldier’s sacrifice is inexcusable,” Boren said.  “These men and women are just doing their job, and I for one am grateful for it.”

 

After similar bills were signed into law in Oklahoma and Louisiana earlier this year, the family of Cpl. Scott Michael Vincent contacted Boren about addressing this problem at the national level.

 

“I am hopeful Congress will act quickly on this legislation to protect Oklahoma families and military families across the country from this abuse,” Boren said.

 

The STOP Act is supported by the American Legion, the Air Force Sergeants Association, the Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS and the Fleet Reserve Association.

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