According to the law, you can't use the NSA log -- or even mention the letters "NSA" or use the name "National Security Agency":
Sec. 15. (a) No person may, except with the written permission of the Director of the National Security Agency, knowingly use the words 'National Security Agency', the initials 'NSA', the seal of the National Security Agency, or any colorable imitation of such words, initials, or seal in connection with any merchandise, impersonation, solicitation, or commercial activity in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that such use is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the National Security Agency.
Well, you might argue, clearly that doesn't apply, but it is precisely this law that was used to justify censorship of a post critical of the NSA by cryptography professor Mathew Green's post. His university threatened Green with legal action unless he removed the NSA logo -- based on their interpretation of this law.
"They who cannot be named" has an ok ring to it.
ReplyDeleteThey should read the very last words of the law - "to convey the impression..."
ReplyDeleteAs another noted, Johns Hopkins University seems to have failed the test of basic reading comprehension.
ReplyDeleteDo all school administrators undergo frontal lobotomies?