The government does not have any “intellectual property rights” and can not
copyright or register trademarks.

B



http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/11/01/sauk-rapids-graphic-artist-challenges-national-security-agency/
Sauk Rapids Graphic Artist Challenges National Security Agency

*SAUK RAPIDS, Minn. (WCCO) –* It was Edward Snowden’s revelations of
domestic spying by the National Security Agency that hatched the idea —
graphic artist Dan McCall would take the NSA’s emblem and create a new look
with a funny twist. <http://www.libertymaniacs.com/>

“When I got finished I thought, this is pretty good – I thought it was
fun,” McCall said.

Soon, he was having T-shirts emblazoned with the NSA logo accompanied by
the slogan, “peeping while you’re sleeping.” Under the parodied emblem was
the statement, “the only part of government that actually listens.”

What McCall meant as pure parody, apparently wasn’t very funny to
bureaucrats at the NSA.

[image: (credit:
CBS)]<http://cbsminnesota.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/nsa-lawsuit-1.png>

(credit: CBS)

While he calls it parody they call a violation of the spy agency’s
intellectual property.

“Because when you’re pointing straight at an organization or making fun at
it, turning it on itself, that is classic parody,” he said.

The agency ordered him to cease and desist and forced his T-shirts off the
market <http://www.libertymaniacs.com/>. But on Tuesday, the father of
three young boys drew a line in the sand.

With the assistance of the Washington D.C.-based consumer advocacy group,
Public Citizen, he’s suing the spy agency for violating his First Amendment
rights.

McCall said he doesn’t want his kids to grow up in a country where you
can’t humor your own government.

McCall said it’s important “that we clarify whether or not these types of
laws are consistent with the rights as Americans under the First Amendment.”

[image: (credit:
CBS)]<http://cbsminnesota.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/nsa-2.png>

(credit: CBS)


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