Minnesota Statutes 333.53 – Unauthorized Use Is a Crime
Any person, firm, partnership, association, society, or corporation, not authorized by the Minnesota Zoological Board who, with intent to acquire or obtain for personal or business purposes a benefit or advantage, assumes, adopts or uses the name “Minnesota Zoological Garden,” the trademark thereof or any other name or mark so nearly resembling the name “Minnesota Zoological Garden” or the trademark thereof as to be calculated to deceive or mislead the public with respect to the Minnesota Zoological Garden, or who, except as authorized by the Minnesota Zoological Board, with intent to acquire or obtain for personal or business purposes a benefit or advantage, assumes, adopts or uses any other name, mark, logo, emblem, insignia or badge, designation, or distinguishing descriptive word or phrase used by the Minnesota Zoological Board in carrying out its purposes relating to the Minnesota Zoological Garden or any name, mark, logo, emblem, insignia or badge, designation, or distinguishing descriptive word or phrase confusingly similar thereto, calculated to deceive or mislead the public with respect to the Minnesota Zoological Garden, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Attorney's Note
Under the Minnesota Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor | up to 90 days | up to $1,000 |
Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 333.53
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
- Person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44