NSA, DHS Settle in Suit Fighting Back Against Their Attempt to Silence Parody Merchandise

Happy followup to a
story I blogged back in November, about Dan McCall of
“Libertymaniacs.com” who was warned by the NSA and DHS to cease
selling merchandise parodying them–and who fought back with a
lawsuit.

Now,
SCTimes.com reports, the agencies have settled:

According to a Maryland District Court settlement agreement
executed Tuesday by the United States Attorney’s office, the NSA
will formally issue a letter to McCall’s merchandise producer —
Zazzle.com — indicating its previous accusation that McCall’s
material was in violation of federal law was inaccurate.

McCall also will receive $500 to cover his court costs in filing
the suit, with the help of Public Citizen, a government watchdog
organization based in Washington, D.C. The agreement stipulates
that McCall drop his suit and the NSA and DHS admit no liability to
him.

“They basically gave me everything I was asking for,” McCall
said. “It’s a victory for First Amendment rights. We’re pretty
excited. I know my lawyer is, and I am, too. We think it’s going to
make a little bit of a difference. I think this case showed the
hush that can happen on the Web when people attempt to satire or
write stuff….”

Good for McCall, and I hope his example emboldens others in the
future.