16 CFR § 461.3 - Impersonation of businesses prohibited.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t16/s461.3"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "16 CFR § 461.3 - Impersonation of businesses prohibited."
title_number: 16
title_name: "Commercial Practices"
section_number: "461.3"
section_name: "Impersonation of businesses prohibited."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION"
subchapter_number: "D"
subchapter_name: "TRADE REGULATION RULES"
part_number: "461"
part_name: "RULE ON IMPERSONATION OF GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESSES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Authority: 15 U.S.C. 41 through 58."
regulatory_source: "89 FR 15030, Mar. 1, 2024, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "461"
---


# 461.3 Impersonation of businesses prohibited.

It is a violation of this part, and an unfair or deceptive act or practice to:

(a) materially and falsely pose as, directly or by implication, a business or officer thereof, in or affecting commerce as commerce is defined in the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 44); or

(b) materially misrepresent, directly or by implication, affiliation with, including endorsement or sponsorship by, a business or officer thereof, in or affecting commerce as commerce is defined in the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 44).