Using the city seal without permission is a crime

(a) (1) Whoever knowingly displays any facsimile of the seal of the city in, or in connection with, any advertisement, poster, or circular, for the purpose of conveying, or in a manner reasonably calculated to convey, a false impression of sponsorship or approval by the city or by any city department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, is guilty of a misdemeanor. (2) Subdivision (1) will not be construed to apply to the use of a facsimile of the seal in any newspaper, periodical, book, pamphlet, or stationery where the facsimile of the seal is printed for informational purposes only to indicate that any article or printed matter therein originated from authorized sources of the city. (b) (1) Whoever, except when authorized in writing by the council for official use of the city, knowingly manufactures, reproduces, sells, or purchases for resale, either separately or appended to any article manufactured or sold, any facsimile of the seal of the city, or any substantial part thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (2) As used in this subsection, the term “sell” will be broadly construed to include transactions involving cash donations to the seller or the seller’s agent or representative, or both. (c) As used in this section, the term “facsimile” means the use of the seal as described or impressed or the gold color replica or any combination thereof found in § 1-23.1 . )