Is it a crime to copy or deface US bills?

[ThomWV]

I am thinking about doing a custom paint job on a car and imbedding images of $100 bills in it. The bills won't be real, of course, what I am thinking about doing is copying (one side) of the bills on a suitable material and imbedding the image within the paint but just a one sided image, and it will be buried in clear paint so it will not be in any way retrievable. What I don't want to find out the hard way is that I'm a counterfeiter instead of a custom painter. Is this something to worry about, is there anyone in Government who would be offended to see it or would I be breaking laws? That law breaking thing, its something I don't want to do.

[Captain Hilts]

1. If you try to have that part done by a professional, they probably won't do it.

I think having copies of bills in artwork won't get you into trouble. Just make them a bit off-sized.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Maybe change the denomination too

to 9 dollar bills for example.

[Aristus]

2. It is a not a crime to copy or deface US currency.

However, if you then try to pass off the result in exchange for goods or services, that is a crime.

[Initech]

4. It's a crime definitely.

In high school, my school was one of the first to get color printers and scanners. And some idiots in my class copied five dollar bills and printed them on the color printers, and then tried to use them to buy lunch. Thankfully one of the cafeteria workers noticed it and reported it to the authorities. The next day the FBI was all over the fucking school.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

5. Certainly I'd expect producing *realistic* duplicates to be illegal.

But provided the copies are sufficiently easily distinguished from the real thing, my guess - and it's only a guess - is that it would be legal.

[Initech]

7. Color copiers and printers have to be off on the greens - it's a legal requirement.

No copier or printer (doesn't matter the use - whether it's commercial, the arts, or whatever) can legally produce natural greens, and it's because of counterfeiting.

[IDemo]

13. Many printers leave traceable dots as well

And at least a few that I'm aware of will recognize several currencies and simply not print them.

[Ms. Toad]

17. Citation, please?

Photographers would be up in arms, if that were really the case.

[havocmom]

12. Had a boss who fold a bill so not all of it copied, and shrank copy to business card size

He was busted but let off with a warning provided he never did any such thing again. The FBI and SS in the area came down pretty hard when one of the agents saw the business card that had part of a one dollar bill printed on it, even though he had it shrunk down so far. Scared the crap outta him.

[Coyote_Bandit]

6. Alter the image

Size the bill either large or small - or some combination of the two. Not the same size as a real bill.

Use a partial image. Or a group of partial images. Overlay corners, edges, sides, ends.

Change the image by adding or removing components. Add text. Change the picture. Remove identifying markings.

[rocktivity]

9. Someone successfully passed this bill

(link)

If you alter the size, color, and graphics and DON'T try to buy anything with it, you're fine legally.

:headbang:
rocktivy

[gmoney]

8. I recall if it was 125% of actual size, or larger, it was not a problem.

I think for what you're doing, enlarging the bills somewhat might not be a bad idea anyway.

[Vincardog]

10. Just don't copy both sides of the bills. That way they are not counterfeit.

[HopeHoops]

11. If it is the same size and color, even though only a moron would accept it, it is illegal.

And yes, there are morons that accept obviously fake bills.

If you copy it in gray scale, that's probably fine. You can also photograph it and print it at a slightly different size. If it is altered in a significant way, that's also legal. Curiously, I have a $3 bill with Bill Clinton on it (gag bill my mom bought a booklet full of). THOSE were passed as real money and people got change from them. They were totally legal, but damn are some people idiots.

[left is right]

14. legality of using the image of paper money from About.com

Reproductions must be done in such a way as to not be confused with actual paper currency. Some of the most common conditions are (not all apply to every country):

Size - smaller or larger than original, the amount varies by country
Color - black & white reproductions only or the use of distinctly different colors from original
One-side - reproductions cannot be double-sided
Surface Area - only a certain percentage of the overall surface of one side of the bill may be depicted
Orientation - currency must be at an angle within the illustration
Labeling - placing the word "Specimen" or "Sample" across the illustration
Material - some types of reproductions can only be placed on materials that are not paper or paper-like
Permission - in some countries you must request permission in writing before reproducing banknotes in advertising or for educational purposes
Creative Materials - disposal of scans, negatives, plates, or other materials used in creating the currency reproductions



http://desktoppub.about.com/od/scanninggraphics/a/papermoney.htm

[47of74]

15. I found this;

This might be helpful;

http://desktoppub.about.com/od/scanninggraphics/a/money_usa.htm

[ThomWV]

16. Thank you very much - that tells me all I need to know