Subject: Spokeswoman gives Scientology position Date: Fri, 24 Feb 95 15:19:47 -0500 GLENDA

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From: milne@delphi.com
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
Subject: Spokeswoman gives Scientology position
Date: Fri, 24 Feb 95 15:19:47 -0500
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      GLENDALE NEWS-PRESS
      Wednesday February 24, 1995
 
 
               Spokeswoman offers Scientoology position
 
                              Karin Pouw
 
            In its editorial on Tuesday, the Glendale News-Press
      described the Internet as a "vast ocean of free-speech and
      free-flowing ideas that reaches worldwide..."
 
            The potential of the Internet to link individuals from
      all corners of the world and so unify a variety of diverse
      cultures and nationalities makes it a priceless resource in
      improving understanding between peoples, no matter their
      ethnic background, or experience.
 
            But the News-Press editorial failed to appreciate that
      the freedom provided by the Internet is also open to abuse,
      and unless the laws of the land are applied on the Internet
      as well as off it, we will have not global freedom of
      expression but cyber-terrorism.  Anarchy will be the result
      of a few dishonest individuals being allowed to treat the law
      with contempt.
 
            That is why, on Monday, February 14, law enforcement
      officers, enforcing a federal court order obtained by the
      Church of Scientology, raided the Glendale, California
      residence of Dennis Erlich.  They seized computer software
      and other materials Erlich had used to make illegal posting
      of copyrighted religious materials on the Internet.
 
            Erlich has been making his opinions known for years
      both on and off the Internet, and we have not interfered no
      matter how unfair or self-serving his statements and postings
      were.
 
            However, action became necessary when Erlich turned
      this freedom into rampant unlawful conduct.  Numerous
      attempts had been made by the Church's lawyers to persuade
      Erlich to halt his repeated unauthorized postings of the
      Church's religious scriptures, which went way beyond the
      concept of "fair use" and constituted violation of copyright
      law.  Erlich not only refused, but boasted on the Internet
      that he would continue his infringements and that "[n]o local
      government or court in the US has the power to tell me
      otherwise."
 
            It was because the federal judge was presented actual
      evidence of his unlawful conduct, as well as proof of the
      Church's copyright ownership that he ordered the seizure.  It
      was conducted precisely according to the terms of the court
      order and the law.  As a result of Mr.  Erlich's
      belligerence, local Glendale police were asked to assist in
      carrying out the court's order.  A photographer was present
      to help document the seizure and thus avoid the usual false
      claims of copyright thieves that their houses were damaged
      during the search.
 
            At a hearing on Tuesday, February 21, the judge asked
      to be provided with additional details of Erlich's copyright
      abuses and theft of trade secrets.  Also, he ordered the
      temporary restraining order against Erlich to remain in place
      until he can formulate an injunction based on the specific
      information he has asked for.
 
            Erlich has all along attempted to misdirect and
      misinform the media about the steps the Church has taken to
      protect its copyrights, and so divert attention from his own
      unlawful actions.  He has spread polemic messages about the
      Church and its parishioners over the Internet -- a
      "smokescreen" to divert attention away from his illegal
      activities.
 
            He has also tried to misrepresent the matter as an
      issue of free speech. Again, a smokescreen.
 
            Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to steal.
 
            We have an information super highway.  Erlich and his
      cronies make it evident that there have to be traffic rules
      and there has to be a highway patrol to police them.
 
            Religious belief and practice is as much a freedom in
      this country as freedom of expression and it must be
      respected.  Scientology is an American religion, recognized
      by the U.S.  government and the IRS, that has helped millions
      of people to achieve increased awareness and ability as
      spiritual beings.  All the actions by the Church to protect
      its rights are taken to preserve the integrity of its
      religious teachings so that individuals may continue to
      benefit from them into the future.
 
            The Internet brings freedom, and with that comes
      responsibility.  It is an invaluable resource and by all
      means should be used for free discussion and information
      exchange, but not to violate the rights of others.
 
            If individuals like Erlich are allowed to continue
      breaking the law, then the greater the likelihood that
      Internet freedoms will be abridged by additional government
      regulations, thus curtailing everyone's freedoms.
 
           ------------------------------------------------
 
            Karin Pouw is Public Relations Director of the Church
      of Scientology International, the mother church of the
      Scientology religion.
 
 
 
 
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