18 U.S.C. § 474A — Deterrents to counterfeiting of obligations and securities

(a) Once the Treasury Secretary has picked a special, distinctive paper for U.S. money and securities, it is a class B felony for anyone to possess similar paper that could be used to make such money or securities — unless the Treasury Secretary has authorized it. (b) Once the Treasury Secretary has publicly adopted a distinctive counterfeit-deterrent feature (like a watermark, seal, security thread, or optically variable device) by publishing it in the Federal Register, it is a class B felony for anyone to possess an essentially identical feature or device that could be used to make such money or securities — unless the Treasury Secretary has authorized it. (c) Definitions. "Distinctive paper" means any special material used to make currency, whether wood pulp, rag, plastic, or another natural or artificial fiber. "Distinctive counterfeit deterrent" means any ink, watermark, seal, security thread, optically variable device, or similar feature or device that either: (1) the United States owns exclusively, or (2) is not already used commercially or available to the public, and that the Secretary says is necessary to prevent counterfeiting.