So, I was asked the other day if I had any ideas for an art installation. I had a few ideas rattling around, including one that could use (but not necessarily require) prop money as part of the dressing.
Being the good citizen that I am (no sarcasm there: I report all stuff for taxes, we pay overinflated car-registration fees), I thought I should contact the government to see if there are guidelines, like printing specifications or a referral to a place that sells legal fake currency.
Here's how I contacted the (my, yours, our) government:
Two days later (which is actually pretty good turnaround time for one little question), I got this response:
I was a little confused and offended. Though I suppose technically I was asking about what would be considered "counterfeit" currency, I was asking for a prop: where I might get it and not permission to make anything myself. It's not like I said: "Um, yeah... do you know if I can have some of that multi-color dyed paper with the multicolor fibers running through it? Oh and by the way, can you send me some of those little metal strips put in the bills? Also, who did the official Presidential portrait etchings? Can I have their contact info?"
I am sure anyone is familiar with the phrase "Ask a stupid question..."
So, I think when you ask a legitimate question and get a stupid answer, you should be allowed to ask a ridiculously stupid clarifying question. So I did:
I hope I am not on some "list" now, but I don't understand why there was such difficulty with asking a question of the government. I hope I wasn't asking anything new or asking something beyond their mental capacity. I hope that there is indeed some set of rules written somewhere that addresses the permissible use and distribution and allowances for prop currency.
Remember, it's still all about the HOPE (Hope! Hope! Everyone has HOPE now! Can't improve your mortgage interest rate with hope or put hope toward a down payment, can you?) for and not necessarily the actual accountability of facts, decisions, and policies. Take your pick.
Being the good citizen that I am (no sarcasm there: I report all stuff for taxes, we pay overinflated car-registration fees), I thought I should contact the government to see if there are guidelines, like printing specifications or a referral to a place that sells legal fake currency.
Here's how I contacted the (my, yours, our) government:
This may sound like a strange question, but is there an "authorized" version of fake currency allowed to merchants or artists for display purposes?
I am an artist and had an idea for project that would require the appearance of money (but obviously not intended to use it as currency). I thought I would formally ask the government before doing anything myself and getting charged with forgery or counterfeiting.
My goal would be to use the fake currency as part of an art installation focusing on how people waste their time, energy and money.
Thanks.
Two days later (which is actually pretty good turnaround time for one little question), I got this response:
Thank you for contacting USA.gov.
We have received your e-mail inquiry regarding if the use of counterfeit currency is authorized to merchants or artists for displaying purposes.
Your inquiry would be best addressed by contacting the U.S. Secret Service.
The Secret Service investigates violations of laws relating to:
Counterfeiting of obligations and securities of the United States. Financial crimes that include, but are not limited to, access device fraud, identity theft, financial institution fraud and computer fraud. Computer-based attacks on the nation's financial, banking and telecommunications infrastructure.
You may wish to contact your local Secret Service field office at: http://www.secretservice.gov/field_offices.shtml
or you may also contact other departments of the Secret Service at: http://www.secretservice.gov/contact.shtml
We hope you find this information helpful.
Regards,
USA.gov Citizen Response Team
I was a little confused and offended. Though I suppose technically I was asking about what would be considered "counterfeit" currency, I was asking for a prop: where I might get it and not permission to make anything myself. It's not like I said: "Um, yeah... do you know if I can have some of that multi-color dyed paper with the multicolor fibers running through it? Oh and by the way, can you send me some of those little metal strips put in the bills? Also, who did the official Presidential portrait etchings? Can I have their contact info?"
I am sure anyone is familiar with the phrase "Ask a stupid question..."
So, I think when you ask a legitimate question and get a stupid answer, you should be allowed to ask a ridiculously stupid clarifying question. So I did:
RE: Other [T20090616007E]
I am writing BACK because you turned a simple question into forwarding me to the SECRET SERVICE! I was just asking for basic information regarding prop money used in movies and television. Are you trying to tell me that in the instance of the end of Lethal Weapon 2 that that was all real money that was lit on fire and dropped into the ocean, all supervised by the Secret Service? I specifically cite that movie as it was before CGI was heavily introduced to work around such issues (and such pyrotechnics!).
I will NOT be pursuing my idea, thanks to what can easily foreseen as way too much bureaucracy to accomplish what was supposed to be a fun diversion as part of an art installation. Thank you for your time and consideration.
I hope I am not on some "list" now, but I don't understand why there was such difficulty with asking a question of the government. I hope I wasn't asking anything new or asking something beyond their mental capacity. I hope that there is indeed some set of rules written somewhere that addresses the permissible use and distribution and allowances for prop currency.
Remember, it's still all about the HOPE (Hope! Hope! Everyone has HOPE now! Can't improve your mortgage interest rate with hope or put hope toward a down payment, can you?) for and not necessarily the actual accountability of facts, decisions, and policies. Take your pick.