[KevinB]

So we can use the CDC emblem—just not on a legal document.

Here's the text of the applicable statute:

"Whoever fraudulently or wrongfully affixes or impresses the seal of any department or agency of the United States, to or upon any certificate, instrument, commission, document, or paper or with knowledge of its fraudulent character, with wrongful or fraudulent intent, uses, buys, procures, sells, or transfers to another any such certificate, instrument, commission, document, or paper, to which or upon which said seal has been so fraudulently affixed or impressed, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both."

Note that it includes the word "paper." A paper would not necessarily be a legal document. It could be a letter or memo.

[SgtHooper]

However, I keep hearing that the CDC is a private business—not a government entity. Thus, use of their logo could be a liability as a use without authorization.

[ConservativeMind]

So you cannot use the CDC logo or any other federal government logo in a parody, because that would obviously be illegal?

I can’t see that.