FRAUDULENT USE OF NAMES, TITLES, OR COMMON DESIGNATIONS

Act 46 of 1911

AN ACT relative to the fraudulent use of names, titles or common designations of fraternities and unions, and providing a penalty therefor.


History: 1911, Act 46, Eff. Aug. 1, 1911




The People of the State of Michigan enact:


430.201 Fraudulent obtaining of application or property for pretended lodge membership; penalty.

Sec. 1.

     Whoever, wilfully, by color or aid of any false token or writing or other false pretense or false statement, verbal or written, or without authority of the grand or supreme governing lodge, council, union or other governing body hereinafter mentioned, obtains the signature of any person to any written application or obtains any money or property for any alleged or pretended degree or for any alleged or pretended membership in any fraternity, association, society, order, organization or union having a grand or supreme governing lodge, council, union or other governing body in this state or in any subordinate lodge or body thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or by a fine of not more than 500 dollars, or by both such fine and imprisonment.


History: 1911, Act 46, Eff. Aug. 1, 1911 ;-- CL 1915, 15581 ;-- CL 1929, 8998 ;-- CL 1948, 430.201





430.202 Fraudulent and unauthorized use of lodge name or imitation; penalty.

Sec. 2.

     Whoever in a newspaper or other publication, or in any written or printed letter, notice, matter or device, without authority of the grand or supreme governing lodge, council, union or other governing body hereinafter mentioned, fraudulently uses or aids in any way in the use of the name, title or common designation of any fraternity, association, society, order, organization or union which has a grand or supreme governing lodge, council, union or other governing body, having priority in such use in this state, or any name, title or designation so nearly resembling the same as to be calculated or likely to deceive; and whoever without such authority fraudulently publishes, sells, circulates or distributes any written or printed letter, notice, matter or device in any way soliciting members for such fraternity, association, society, order, organization or union, or for any alleged or pretended fraternity, association, society, order, organization or union, using any such name, title, designation, or near resemblance thereto; and whoever therein or thereby in any way without such authority fraudulently offers to sell, confer, communicate or give information where, of whom or by what means any degree or work in whole or in part of such fraternity, association, society, order, organization or union or of any alleged or pretended fraternity, association, society, order, organization or union using any such name, title or designation or near resemblance thereto, can or may be obtained, conferred or communicated, shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or by a fine of not more than 500 dollars, or by both such fine and imprisonment.


History: 1911, Act 46, Eff. Aug. 1, 1911 ;-- CL 1915, 15582 ;-- CL 1929, 8999 ;-- CL 1948, 430.202




Rendered 8/15/2025 3:50 PM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov