# Proprietary (Intelligence) **Entity class:** Intelligence operational structure **Aliases:** intelligence proprietary; government-controlled commercial cover entity ## Definition In intelligence and undercover practice, a **proprietary** is a business or commercial entity owned, controlled, or used by a government organization while the affiliation is concealed. It can provide employment, premises, transactions, communications, travel, and a credible reason for relationships. ## Relationships - **form of:** [[wiki/Commercial Cover|Commercial Cover]]. - **supports:** [[wiki/Legend (Intelligence)|Legend]] and [[wiki/Backstopping|Backstopping]]. - **documented precedents:** the FBI's wartime cover-company history and [[wiki/Studio Six Productions|Studio Six Productions]]. - **source:** [[research/The Producer Function in Intelligence Tradecraft and Dramaturgy|The Producer Function in Intelligence Tradecraft and Dramaturgy]]. ## Sources / Provenance - [Department of Justice — Attorney General's Guidelines on FBI Undercover Operations](https://www.justice.gov/archives/ag/undercover-and-sensitive-operations-unit-attorney-generals-guidelines-fbi-undercover-operations) - [CIA Reading Room — covert-action cover and business enterprises](https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp80m01133a001000010003-4)