Law for the protection of national symbols
19 May 1933.
The Reich Government has passed the following Act, which is hereby announced:
§ 1
It is forbidden to use the symbols of the Germanic history of the German State and the national uprising in Germany publicly in a manner that is likely to violate the sense of dignity of these symbols.
§ 2
The higher administrative authority of the place of manufacture decides whether an object contrary to the provision of § 1 has been placed on the market. In this case, items of this kind are subject to forfeiture without compensation.
§ 3
The police authorities may seize the property before the decision of the higher administrative authorities if, at their discretion, there is a violation of the prohibition in § 1. In such cases they shall immediately inform the administrative authority responsible for the decision.
§ 4
[1] Parties involved may appeal against the decision of the higher administrative authority within 2 weeks to the highest state authority. The appeal has no suspensive effect.
[2] The Reich Minister for National Enlightenment and Propaganda and the state government supervisory to the higher administrative authority may, through a representative of the public interest appointed by them, also appeal to the decision of the highest state authority within the time limit specified in § 1.
[3] Pending the final legal decision, the confiscation ordered by the higher administrative authority shall be regarded as seizure.
§ 5
Compensation for the effects of a seizure is not granted even if a final decision is made that there has been no violation of the prohibition in § 1.
§ 6
In case of doubt, the decisive authorities should hear an expert who combines artistic understanding with a sense of national responsibility.
§ 7
Legal decisions according to §§ 2 and 4 have effect for the entire Reich.
§ 8
Police regulations may be issued for the implementation of § 1 in such cases where the offence consists of singing and playing certain songs or other actions other than placing objects on the market.
§ 9
[1] Whoever deliberately or negligently places objects into circulation contrary to a decision according to § 2 or § 4 shall be punished with a fine of up to one-hundred and fifty Reichsmark or imprisonment.
[2] Likewise, anyone who deliberately or negligently contravenes the police regulations issued on the basis of § 8 will be punished.
§ 10
Existing provisions relating to symbols or emblems of the German Reich and the German states remain unaffected.
§ 11
The legal and administrative provisions necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be enacted by the Reich Minister for National Enlightenment and Propaganda, insofar as regulations relating to symbols and emblems of the German Reich are concerned, are in agreement with the Reich Minister of the Interior. He may issue guidelines for the application of this Act. Which authorities are viewed as the higher land authorities, the higher administrative authorities and the police authorities in line with this Act, are determined by the state governments.
Berlin, May 19, 1933.
The Reich Chancellor
Adolf Hitler
The Reich Minister
for popular enlightenment and propaganda
Dr. Goebbels
The Reich Minister of the Interior
Frick
