Manson's real name is Brian Warner

David M Diaz had sought $75,000 (�47,000) for emotional distress and other injuries after Manson allegedly gyrated against him during a 2000 show.

But a jury agreed with Manson's position that it was part of his elaborate stage show and "neither offensive nor harmful".

Thanking jurors, Manson said he felt "completely vindicated".

He said: "The path to truth is obscured by frivolous lawsuits, but it's lit by the objectivity of a jury that sees the difference between entertainment and assault."

Manson, who was born Brian Warner, had faced a battery charge after Mr Diaz filed the suit against him following a show in October 2000 at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis.

A US District Court jury in St Paul, Minnesota, deliberated for three days before returning its verdict.

Manson's touring company, Jimmy's Touring Inc, was also absolved of civil liability.

Manson had faced similar charges following an alleged incident involving another security guard in July 2001.

After a felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanour, Manson pleaded no contest last June and agreed to pay a $4,000 (�2,520) fine.

A month earlier, the security guard in that case filed his own civil suit, which is still pending.