The FBI last month fired off a terse letter to Wikipedia, insisting that the online encyclopedia remove the FBI seal from its site. Here's a copy (PDF) of the letter post by the New York Times.

The FBI gave two reasons for its demand. First, it argues that unauthorized use of the seal, an official insignia of the U.S. Department of Justice, is prohibited by federal law. The letter states:

"Unauthorized reproduction or use of the FB I Seal is prohibited by 18 United States Code, Section 701, which provides:

Whoever manufactures, sells, or possesses any insignia, of the design prescribed by the [Department head] or any colorable imitation thereof, or photographs, prints, or in any other manner makes or executes any engraving, photograph, print, or impression in the likeness of any such insignia, or any colorable imitation thereof, except as authorized under regulation made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both."

Second, the FBI claims that Wikipedia's posting of the seal might encourage fraudsters to use the logo for nefarious purposes:

"The inclusion of a high quality graphic of the FBI seal on Wikipedia is particularly problematic, because it facilitates both deliberate and unwitting violations of these restrictions by Wikipedia users."

Dear FBI
It’s your seal, come and get it. The bloody thing has been fouling our swimming pool and stealing the fish from the fridge, not to mention blowing randomly acquired trumpets.

Why the FBI requires the services of a pinniped these days is anyone’s guess. We all know that Salty’s maverick crimesolving techniques were discredited in the 1980s following a protracted and costly legal case.