And in a handful of states, there are Red Cross drug stores. Misuses of the emblem continue to plague the Red Cross, but now they take a more modern form. Nurse dolls, toy ambulances, and play medical kits still frequently sport the emblem, but they have been joined by novelties, T-shirts, and items for medical professionals. While signs for medical establishments have been a mainstay of misuse, recent years have seen a growing number of walk-in emergency care clinics sporting the emblem. As the pet industry has burgeoned, the emblem has found its way onto pet first aid kits and guides.
Misuses appear in movies, on television, and in computer software and games.
In addition, plus signs have become popular symbols in trademark applications by companies that wish to promote their products as new and improved or superior to those of their competitors. When these plus signs are thickened and colored red, they are indistinguishable from the Greek red cross. And, of course, the Internet is the newest arena for infringement. The Red Cross has been the target of a domain name pirate, and it receives many notifications about misuses appearing on various Web sites. The Red Cross' approach to addressing misuse centers on educating others about the Geneva Conventions and the federal law providing protection of the emblem.