Indian Arts and Crafts Act

The Indian Arts and Craft Act (IACA) requires the truthful labeling of Indian-made products. The act covers Indian and Indian-style traditional and contemporary arts and crafts. It bans the sale of such goods that are falsely represented or implied to be Indian-made. Violators may face fines, prison time, or both. Items frequently copied by non-Indians include baskets, carvings, clothing, jewelry, pottery, and woven rugs. To report a potential IACA violation, file a report with the Indian Arts and Crafts Board.

For more information about IACA, visit WashingtonLawHelp. The Indian Arts and Crafts Board, with the help of the US Patent and Trademark Office created an introduction to Intellectual Property pamphlet for Native artists.