(a) Offense defined.— A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree if, in any manner, he:

1. (1) for exhibition or display places any marks, writing or design of any nature or any advertisement upon any flag;
2. (2) exposes to public view any such marked or defiled flag;
3. (3) manufactures, sells, exposes for sale, gives away, or has in his possession for any of such purposes any article which uses the flag for the purposes of advertisement, sale or trade; or
4. (4) publicly or privately mutilates, defaces, defiles, or tramples upon, or casts contempt in any manner upon any flag.

(b) Exception.— Subsection (a) of this section does not apply:

1. (1) To any act permitted by the statutes of the United States, or by the regulations of the armed forces of the United States.
2. (2) In a case where the government of the United States has granted the use of such flag, standard, color, or ensign as a trademark.
3. (3) To any writing or instrument, or stationery for use in correspondence on any of which shall be printed, painted, or placed said flag, disconnected from any advertisement for the purpose of sale or trade.
4. (4) To any patriotic or political demonstration or decorations.