Michael
Foundation's
Copyright Case
| In the summer of 1999, Michael Foundation, Inc. published Part IV of The Urantia Book as a separate publication. Urantia Foundation subsequently sued Michael Foundation. A series of events followed which resulted in the loss of Urantia Foundation's U.S. Copyright. Various documents related to this matter are provided below. "Jesus: A New Revelation" is now once again available from Michael Foundation. You may contact Michael Foundation via email for more information.
Michael Foundation, Inc.
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(Documents are ordered with the most recent at top and oldest at bottom. )
November 20, 2001 -- Federal Court denies Urantia Foundation's petition to stay judgment pending appeal.
See Court's OrderSeptember 13, 2001 -- Urantia Foundation files legal documents for appeal in the Michael Foundation matter. The Foundation subsequently filed an additional motion with the Court seeking to have the effect of the Court's decision stayed until the appeal process was completed.
June 21, 2001 -- Post-trial reflections
Note from Claudia and Lee
Trial overview by Dick and Peggy JohnsonJune 20, 2001 -- Oklahoma City Federal Court places the U.S. copyright to The Urantia Book in the public domain.
Announcement from The Fellowship to the ReadersJune 19, 2001 -- Trial news update
June 18, 2001 -- Trial news update
June 15, 2001 -- Trial news update
June 13, 2001 -- Trial news update
June 12, 2001 -- Trial information update
June 8, 2001 -- Trial information update
June 7, 2001 -- Trial information update
June 5, 2001 -- Trial information update email from Harry McMullan
June 4, 2001 -- Final Michael Foundation filing in Federal copyright infringement case. [See Michael Foundation's final filing]
October 4, 2000 -- Urantia Foundation public announcement regarding impending trial
August 2, 2000 -- Michael Foundation files Counterclaim for Declaratory Judgement invalidating Urantia Foundation's claim of trademark in the words "Urantia" and "Urantian."
June 16, 2000 -- Urantia Foundation responds to Michael Foundation request for declaratory judgment. See Foundation's response
May 12, 2000 -- Michael Foundation files a Motion for Declaratory Judgment against Urantia Foundation in federal court in Oklahoma, which is in the 10th federal judicial circuit. This motion requests the court to determine whether Urantia Foundation has a valid copyright to the Urantia Book in general, and Part IV of the Urantia Book in particular. See text of Michael Foundation's complaint.
May 10, 2000 -- Court dismisses Urantia Foundation's lawsuit due to lack of proper venue
[See full text of Judge's Dismissal]Comments from Carol Herren regarding "Setting the Record Straight"
Letter to trustee Gard Jameson from Debbie Bartman11/30/99 Urantia Foundation initiates lawsuit against Michael Foundation
David Kantor's response to Paul Snider, 11/22/99
Paul Snider comments on "A Call to Spiritual Unity"
Support for "A Call to Spiritual Unity," Mark and Kathy George-Moore
November 19, Al Wolf; "A Call to Spiritual Unity"
Letter from Carolyn Camp
November 18, Open Letter to Trustees from Larry Gwynn
November 16, Letter from Zshonette Reed
November 15, Essay by Saskia Raevouri; "A Call for Common Sense"
David Kantor's commentary on Foundation's open letter, November 13, 1999
Philip Calabrese's response to Foundation's open letter
Phil Geiger's response to Foundation's open letter, November 12, 1999
Saskia Raevouri response to Foundation's open letter, November 10, 1999
Claudia Ayers response to Foundation's open letter, November 9, 1999
Fred Harris commentary on Foundation's open letter, November 9, 1999Foundation's Open Letter to readers of November 8, 1999
McMullan Attorney letter to Urantia Foundation trustees, October 28, 1999
Urantia Foundation letter to Harry McMullan, October 13, 1999
Interviews with Harry McMullan and Travis Binion regarding the publication of JANR
Response to Dave Elders by Claudia Ayers
Further Rebuttal by David Kantor
Rebuttal by Dave Elders
David Kantor's response to Dave Elder's Essay, "Separate Publishing"
Urantia Book Fellowship President's Letter of August 30, 1999
Harry McMullan's letter of response of August 25, 1999
Urantia Foundation letter to Harry McMullan of August 5, 1999
Part IV Printed Illegally: Urantia Foundation Press Release of July 24, 1999