Mr. James P. Jarnagin President,
First Urantia Society of Houston

Dear Jim:

July 8, 1978

Thank you for your letter informing us of the Houston Society's support of the Foundation in its ownership of the copyright and trademarks and of your decision not to sign the Licensing Agreement.

I can understand your position and many of us would prefer the nonlegal approach if this were possible in the protection of the registered marks. Unfortunately it is not. The Brotherhood, therefore, has decided to support the Foundation in their supervision of the registered marks and we, as you know, are requiring all Urantia Societies to co-operate in this legal necessity.

We believe that all societies must assume the same responsibilities and sign the same Licensing Agreement for the protection of the registered marks. We, therefore, should like to inform you that we believe the Houston group is assuming a position which would be acceptable for a study group but is inadequate for a society.

As a consequence of your decision, we should like to ask the Houston Society, by mutual consent, to return their charter and the rights and obligations pertaining to it to the Brotherhood office by September 1, 1978.

This mutual agreement does not effect or imply any break in fellow-ship and the Houston group would continue to serve as one of our dedicated study groups and continue to contribute to our common purposes according to their own desires and decisions.

If this mutual agreement is not actualized by September 1, 1978, the Executive Committee will set in motion Urantia Brotherhood constitutional procedures for the revocation of the Houston Society charter. This action, however, is not intended to precipitate a break in fellowship but is taken to designate the level of responsi-bility for the protection of the registered marks chosen by the Houston Society.

Although we would have liked to have you folks stand with us in signing the Licensing Agreement, I can understand your preference for a less legalistic position. May I assure you that you contiinue to be regarded as one of our fellowship. You may recall that some of the major spiritual movements of our world were born among those who were not in the official power structure of the religious organ-izations of their day! Your new relationship with the Brotherhood might provide even greater opportunities for service. It is so important, as you point out, to be trustful of one another and the accepting of those who hold different intellectual, social, economic, or religious views. I do hope we may love one another and work together in each of our chosen positions.

Cordially

Meredith J. Sprunger, President Urantia Brotherhood

MJS/ils

cc: General Council Field Representatives Society Presidents