Bill · S. 4902· Senate(119-S-4902)
PROTECT Act
- Introduced
- 6/24/2026
- Last activity
- 6/24/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Ted Cruz
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Preservation of Rights and Ownership of Traditional Emblems, Crests, and Tributes Act or the PROTECT Act. It amends the Trademark Act of 1946 to stop private entities from registering trademarks that are used by the United States Government for Department of Defense or Armed Forces awards, decorations, campaign and service ribbons, or medals. The bill allows the government agency or department that controls the official use of the mark to register it at their discretion. It also protects persons and entities, including nonprofit organizations, that were lawfully using the mark before the enactment date by allowing them to continue using it. However, no person or entity other than a government agency or department can register such a mark on the principal register on and after the date of enactment.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+6
Veterans benefit from this bill as it safeguards the official recognition, symbols, and honors associated with military service from commercial exploitation.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+5
The bill protects the official use and integrity of military awards, decorations, and medals by restricting private trademark registration.
Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer?+3
The bill clarifies intellectual property rules by preventing private entities from trademarking official military symbols while protecting prior lawful users.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 allows government agencies or departments to register marks used for Department of Defense or Armed Forces awards, decorations, campaign and service ribbons, or medals, which helps keep official military honors controlled by the government.
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Section 2 protects people and entities, including nonprofit organizations, by allowing them to continue using a mark if their use was lawful and happened before the date of enactment.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2 states that no person or entity other than an agency or department of the Government may register these marks on the principal register on and after the date of enactment, which prevents private entities from registering them.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+6
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves Intellectual Property Fairness+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- 6/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in Senate