Urantia
Foundation's Crimes
Against The Master,
The Revelation, And Believers
"By their fruits you shall know them.
Do men gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?"
(Page 1571/140.3.19)
Urantia Foundation:
Told the copyright office and the US courts that the Revelation was a "work for hire", thus telling the world that a human or group of humans wrote the book, and that they were paid to write it.
Told the copyright office that the Revelation was authored by the **"Urantia Foundation".** Urantia Foundation did not exist at the time the papers came through, and the true authors are listed in the book. This lie has now spread around the world on computers and microfiches.
Violates and completely disregards Jesus' teaching about not going to law among ourselves.
"Be willing to suffer injustice rather than to go to law among yourselves." (Page 1571/140.3.14)
Has dragged the Revelation through the courts while vigorously suing believers for spreading the Revelation in their own way, and in the process has wasted millions of dollars of God's resources which could have been used to advance the Revelation.
Violates and completely disregards Jesus' teaching about forbidding others to spread the Revelation as the spirit leads them. Jesus said:
"Forbid him not. Do you not perceive that this gospel of the kingdom shall presently be proclaimed in all the world? How can you expect that all who will believe the gospel shall be subject to your direction? Rejoice that already our teaching has begun to manifest itself beyond the bounds of our personal influence." (Page 1764/159.2.1)
Violates and completely disregards the Master's teachings concerning "Freely you have received, freely give." as mentioned several places in the Revelation, notably:
"Freely have you received; therefore freely should you give of the truth of heaven, and in the giving will this truth multiply and show forth the increasing light of saving grace, even as you minister it." (Page 1918/176.3.10)
Promised in their Declaration of Trust (DOT) to keep the text inviolate, and then violated the text in secret for over 20 years before being discovered and exposed by a reader. Still continues to print altered text books without footnotes or in any other way making it clear to a new reader that they have changed the text, and does not print an original, authentic text book. Does not allow anyone else to print an original, authentic book. Began altering the text in the Second Printing. Has dropped words from the Revelation, such as "in the manger" in the middle of page 1317 (119.7.6).
Has failed to "foster a religion" as their DOT requires. In fact, has denied in court that it is a religious organization or that the Urantia Book is a religious book.
Told the US Government that the word "urantian" is a coined word, formed by, and from the name of Urantia Foundation. The word is actually a revealed word, in the Revelation some 33 times, pre-dating Urantia Foundation.
Did not tell the government that the three concentric circles are the "Banner of Michael" (Page 606/53.5.4) and does not so state when they use the circles, instead allowing people to believe the circles are the "symbol of Urantia Foundation".
Tells fellow believers that the Foundation thinks the book was authored by God's spiritual agents and that the book is what it says it is, while telling the US government that the book has human authors and is not a religious book.
At one time had a blacklist and denied the Revelation to certain people, fellow believers. Has never apologized to anyone for doing so.
Successfully floated the "Confirmatory Agreement". Thus, through the good will and naiveté of others, gained power to disenfranchise the Brotherhood and to deny the use of the circles and the words "urantia" and "urantian" (through secular law) to any who didn't agree with Urantia Foundation.
By its actions and lack of actions, has created a vacuum that allows the formation of strange "isms", "Teaching Missions", Aquarian Concepts Communities", etc., along with news stories stating that the Revelation was written by space aliens, or through its machinations in the courts in a desperate attempt to keep control of the Revelation through copyright, has fostered news reports that the book was written by humans with the aid of space aliens.
Like the apostles unseemly jostling for preference and first place at the table, and reminiscent of the Church in Rome, insists that it is the "official" organization and that its cynical replacement creation for the Urantia Brotherhood, the subservient International Urantia Association (IUA), is also an "official" organization, apparently chartered by God himself.
Foundationist philosophy:
"Often problems are not
solved; they are just outlived and become irrelevant."
From Urantia Foundation's "SETTING
THE RECORD STRAIGHT"
Copyright 1999 Urantia Foundation
Urantia Revelation philosophy:
"Unresolved conflicts
destroy unity and may terminate in mind disruption."
"Highlights" from Urantia Foundation's History
1958
Bill Sadler submits memo to Foundation Trustees regarding potential pitfalls and frictions between the two organizations, along with recommendations for policies designed to minimize inevitable frictions. An excerpt from that memo reads:"Unless the Foundation conducts itself with wisdom it may breed dissension between itself and the Brotherhood. In the opinion of the writer, there is no place in URANTIA Foundation for naiveté, or any exhibition of proprietary feeling toward the Urantia Papers." William S. Sadler, Jr., -April, 1958
Marian Rowley creates first secondary work -- The Story of Joe -- a fictional account of an average mortal person's ascent through the universe to Paradise. The book was never published.
1962
Publication of La Cosmogonie D'Urantia -- First French translation (in three volumes) available until early 1970's when Urantia Foundation brought legal action against the translator-publisher for enforcement of terms of contract.
1966
Urantia Foundation establishes formal policy regarding permission to quote passages from the book, to use the name "Urantia" and to use the concentric circles symbol.
1968
Martin Myers moves into 533 Diversey Parkway.
1970
September 29
Urantia Foundation applies for a trademark on the stylized word, "URANTIA".
1971
May 6
Urantia Foundation orders plates used in original printing to be destroyed.June 29
Urantia Foundation receives registration for the name "URANTIA" as a "trademark for books." (Registration # 915734)
July
Urantia Foundation submits application to register the name "URANTIA" as a service mark -- application is denied by trademark examiner.Martin Myers and Vern Grimsley appointed "agents" for the Trustees of Urantia Foundation.
1972
Urantia Foundation submits re-written application for registration of the name "URANTIA" as a service mark, receives approval "for educational purposes -- namely, religious teachings." (Registration # 948104)
1973
August
Fourth printing of The Urantia Book -- 25,000 copies. With this printing, Urantia Foundation began inserting a "notice" regarding copyright and trademark claims related to the name and symbol inside the cover of every book.Martin Myers appointed Trustee of Urantia Foundation.
December
Urantia Foundation submits application to register the word "URANTIAN" as a trademark. Initial application denied. Application later approved after Urantia Foundation convinces trademark examiner that the word "URANTIAN" has no known meaning.Urantia Foundation submits "Confirmatory Agreement" to Urantia Brotherhood.
September 3
Paul Snider, President of Urantia Brotherhood, signs "Confirmatory Agreement."November
Copies of Urantia Foundation's "Confirmatory Agreement" sent to each of the eight Urantia Societies for ratification.
December
Urantia Foundation initiates lawsuit against Urantian Research for the use of the word "Urantia" and the concentric circles symbol in the preparation of study aids for The Urantia Book.
Urantia Foundation sues Jacques Weiss, translator of La Cosmogonie d'Urantia essentially halting sales to French-speaking readers. Price of photocopied editions soars to over $200.00 per copy in France.
Urantia Foundation sues Burton King for giving away quotes from The Urantia Book.
1975
January 11
Paul Snider, President of Urantia Brotherhood and Tom Kendall, President of Urantia Foundation meet with Oklahoma City readers in an attempt to calm reactions to Urantia Foundation's Confirmatory Agreement which had been signed by Paul Snider as President of the Brotherhood, and now needed for the ratification of the Societies.
Library of Congress classification for The Urantia Book changed from "Parapsychology and Occultism" category to "Other Religions" and "Other Beliefs and Movements".
Urantia Foundation sues Bob Burton for sending out copies of "Government on a Neighboring Planet" (Paper 72) to the members of Congress (he also gave a Urantia Book to President Kennedy) and also for sponsoring a Spanish translation of the Urantia Papers.
Urantia Foundation sues Urantia Universal Studios for use of the name "Urantia".
1976
Urantia Foundation registers name "Urantia" and the concentric circles symbol as trade marks.
March 31
Urantia Foundation issues strict guidelines regarding what is permissible at any conference of readers regarding how quotes may be used from the book, as well as the use of the name "Urantia" and the concentric circles symbol on any materials used in conjunction with the conference.
April 4
Urantia Brotherhood submits formal protest to Urantia Foundation for attempts to control Brotherhood internal affairs, specifically, the up-coming conference in Oklahoma City.
Urantia Foundation initiates lawsuit in state of New York to protect claims to the word "Urantia".
Urantia Foundation submits "Assignment Agreement" to the Executive Committee of Urantia Brotherhood with pressure to sign. This agreement required Urantia Brotherhood to sell all rights it had acquired during its 23 year use of the name "Urantia" and the concentric circles symbol to Urantia Foundation for $1.00.
November 23
Urantia Foundation files to register the stylized word "URANTIA" as a collective membership mark to indicate "membership in URANTIA Brotherhood."
1977
March
Urantia Foundation wins lawsuit against Burton King and Urantian Research. Burton King ordered to turn over all study aids and class materials containing the word "Urantia" or the concentric circles symbol to Urantia Foundation for destruction.Urantia Foundation announces it will no longer allow readers to purchase case lots of books at wholesale prices.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Begemann from the Netherlands visit Urantia Foundation to discuss problems in Europe resulting from the Foundation's withdrawal of the French translation from circulation as well as issues related to Henry's work on the Dutch translation.
Houston Society splits in two -- one portion aligned with Foundation principles and the other declaring itself an independent organization -- "First Urantia Society of Houston, Inc."
1978
February 1
Urantia Foundation submits application to expand trademark registration of the stylized word "URANTIA" to include "printed publications -- namely, books, booklets, brochures, pamphlets, newsletters, bulletins, and leaflets concerning educational, religious, or philosophical subjects."April 18
Urantia Foundation granted registration of the stylized word "URANTIA" as a collective membership mark "Indicating membership in a Social and Fraternal Organization."' (Reg. # 1089942)Urantia Foundation sues reader Arnold Zakow for copyright infringement.
Unable to get the Urantia Societies to ratify the "Confirmatory Agreement" signed by the President of Urantia Brotherhood, Urantia Foundation submits a highly restrictive "licensing agreement" to the individual Societies for purposes of licensing them to use the Foundation's registered marks.
Urantia Foundation sues Don Pettrie.
1979
February 6
Urantia Foundation receives expanded trademark registration for the stylized name "URANTIA" to include "printed publications -- namely, books, booklets, brochures, pamphlets, newsletters, bulletins, and leaflets concerning educational, religious, or philosophical subjects." (Reg., # 1112713)December
Henry Begemann declares Urantia Foundation in default.
1980
June 27
Urantia Foundation sues First Urantia Society of Houston, Inc. for using the word "Urantia" in their name and publications.
August 29
US District Court in Michigan upholds Urantia Foundation claims against Bob Burton.
1981
April
Forum member and author Clyde Bedell publishes a call to action in response to Urantia Foundation's repressive policies.
1982
June 14
Urantia Foundation issues comprehensive guidelines for permissible use of The Urantia Book, including permission to read up to 500 words aloud in public.
Reader claims to have vision of Michael forgiving Lucifer -- gives rise to channeling phenomena within portion of the readership.
1983
January Vern Grimsley notifies Martin Myers and the Kendalls that he began receiving "messages" on December 16, 1982.
August 19-21
Center for Urantia Book Synergy -- CUBS -- sponsors "The Art of Living" conference in Santa Barbara, California, with over 300 participants from 22 states and Canada.
October 6
Vern Grimsley announces he has received a "message" from superhuman sources warning that World War III is imminent, converts Family of God Foundation's 1.5 million dollar commodity account (managed by Richard Keeler) into gold coins and bullion, stashing it at his California seminary.
December 31
Thomas Kendall, President of the Board of Trustees, ostracized for having supported Vern Grimsley, is informed that he is being removed as President of the Foundation and that steps are being taken to remove him from the Board of Trustees.
1984
June 17
Richard Keeler and Hoite Caston publish "Vern Grimsley Message Evaluation" for Urantia Foundation, a 283 page document denouncing Vern Grimsley and his "messages."
1985
March 25
World War III fails to occur as predicted by Family of God Foundation.
1987
Urantia Brotherhood proposes test marketing study for The Urantia Book.
July 28
Urantia Foundation threatens to revoke the Brotherhood's right to use the concentric circles symbol and the name "Urantia" as well as its freedom to sell books if it carries out a marketing study. Urantia Foundation stresses its desire for a "de-emphasis of book sales."
1988
Joe Pope announces himself to be "the new John the Baptist" -- starts "Elijah Ministry" in Canada and publishes a book on the coming end (late 1997) of the world.
April 29
Urantia Foundation Center for Urantia Book Synergy for using the word "Urantia" as part of their name. Case was settled out of court with CUBS retaining the right to use its name.October
Urantia Foundation denies the revealed nature of The Urantia Book in copyright case.
1989
Urantia Foundation refuses to allow public access to their financial records.
February
Urantia Brotherhood President submits confidential memo to Trustees of Urantia Foundation expressing concern about the manner in which Martin Myers is manipulating Urantia organizations.
Martin Myers resigns from his job as Vice President of a Chicago bank to work full time for Urantia Foundation.
July
Three trustees (Helena Sprague, Frank Sgaraglino, Gloriann Harris) resign from Urantia Foundation.
Richard Keeler elected Trustee of Urantia Foundation.
July 21
Urantia Brotherhood submits letter to Urantia Foundation requesting the resignation of Martin Myers.
September
Urantia Foundation office staff resigns.
September 16
Urantia Brotherhood General Council holds special session to evaluate the deteriorating situation with Urantia Foundation.October 17
Urantia Brotherhood informs Urantia Foundation Trustees it will no longer solicit funds for Urantia Foundation due to the Foundation's refusal to allow the Brotherhood Finance Committee to review Foundation financial records.
October 30
Urantia Foundation disenfranchises Urantia Brotherhood Corporation as sales and distribution agent for The Urantia Book, de-licenses Urantia Brotherhood and forbids the use of the name "Urantia," "Urantian," or the concentric circles symbol; terminates Urantia Brotherhood's lease of office space at 533 Diversey Parkway.
Urantia Brotherhood moves into new offices at 529 W. Wrightwood Ave. in Chicago -- changes its name to "Fifth Epochal Fellowship" and becomes known as "The Fellowship for Readers of The Urantia Book."
Trustee Emeritus William Hales resigns from Urantia Foundation.
1990
"Sintesis Del Libro De Urantia" published in Barcelona, Spain by the I Am Brotherhood. (Complete with blue concentric circles on the cover -- no "R".) ISBN 48-7720-230-3
Banner of Michael (the concentric circles symbol described in The Urantia Book sans Urantia Foundation's "R") raised at the General Conference of the Fellowship at Snowmass, Colorado, used by the readers as a religious symbol as it had been since the first Triennial Delegate Assembly in 1964.
April 1
Representatives of Urantia Foundation meet with Society representatives in New York regarding the de-licensing of Urantia Brotherhood. The Brotherhood representatives put forth the suggestion that an attempt be made to put the disagreement before a conciliating commission. The Foundation responds that conciliation is only relevant to disputes between equals. According to the Foundation, since the Brotherhood is a wholly subservient creation of the Foundation, the concept of conciliation is irrelevant to the dispute. A Foundation representative maintains that the Foundation is in effect a Sovereign Power in this dispute and that it would be inappropriate for the trustees to subject the direction of their enterprise to the whims of an external conciliating commission.April
Urantia Foundation publishes a massive "Special Report" detailing its disenfranchisement of Urantia Brotherhood, mailing copies to some 6,000 persons.
Urantia Foundation "delists" The Urantia Book with all major book distributors; book sales begin to plunge.
1991
Urantia Foundation initiates legal action against Kristen Maaherra for creating and giving away an electronic index to The Urantia Book.
November
Trustees of Urantia Foundation appoint advisory committee to help create a new social organization to replace Urantia Brotherhood.
1992
Martin Myers dismissed as Trustee of Urantia Foundation.
Michael Million starts "Urantial" on server at the University of Arkansas - first readership discussion group on the emerging Internet.
March
Urantia Foundation refuses to sell books to individuals known to be unsympathetic to Urantia Foundation's socio/political objectives. See Refusal Letters.
1993
The Urantia Foundation publishes El libro de Urantia, a faulty Spanish translation of The Urantia Book, utterly violating the original text and damaging the image of the Revelation.
November
Having lost the greatest majority of the experienced readership along with their base of financial support in their 1989 disaffiliation with Urantia Brotherhood, Urantia Foundation forms "International Urantia Association (IUA)," a new organization for readers designed to give Foundation Trustees a much greater degree of social control than the original Urantia Brotherhood constitution (which was drafted by Forum members -- primarily written by Bill Sadler -- and approved by the revelators).
1994
Reader Chris Hansen independently publishes Part IV of The Urantia Book under the title, "God's Bible, An Epochal Revelation Sponsored by God's Angels -- Part IV, Papers 120-196, The Life and Teachings of Jesus".
Melchizedek fails to appear at Holiday Inn in Napierville, Illinois as predicted by channeling readership group.
August 21
Large group of readers led by Berkeley Elliott celebrates the 2,000 anniversary of Jesus' birth in Jerusalem. Michael's banner with the concentric circles symbol described in The Urantia Book flown from the top of the Mount of Olives at dawn.
1995
February 10
Urantia Foundation's claim to a copyright in The Urantia Book ruled invalid in Summary Judgment by United States Senior District Judge in Arizona - copyright placed in public domain. Urantia Foundation files appeal.
Popular writer Martin Gardner publishes Urantia: The Great Cult Mystery in an apparent attempt to discredit The Urantia Book.
Reader Chris Hansen independently publishes 5,000 copies of The Urantia Book as The Urantia Papers and God's Bible, both exact facsimiles of the First Printing.
Urantia Foundation initiates lawsuit against Kristen Maaherra's husband, Eric Schaveland, for using "urantia" as part of a URL (universal resource locator) for his website.
Urantia Foundation hires public relations specialist to manage office and interface with readers.
1996
February 28
The Fellowship for Readers of The Urantia Book files Brief Amicus Curiae in support of Kristen Maaherra's defense of Urantia Foundation appeal in the copyright matter.
April 7
Reader Paul Bond hires two professional PR wire services to issue a "Proclamation Document" to some 1200 media outlets worldwide.
April 21
Michael Million gives Urantial e-mail Urantial list to Urantia Foundation.
July
The Fellowship publishes 15,000 copies of The Urantia Book through its newly established publishing corporation, Uversa Press.
International Conference 96 -- Approximately 1,000 readers from the United States and many other countries attend Fellowship's international conference in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Approximately 70 readers attend Urantia Foundation's third IUA conference in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
August
Eric Schaveland and Kristen Maaherra sued for trademark infringement.
Urantia Foundation takes legal action against the Fellowship as well as Jesusonian Foundation (Jesusonian acts as a distribution agent for both the Foundation's and the Fellowship's published edition of The Urantia Book) for listing 1-888-URANTIA as an information phone number on literature distributed at the American Booksellers Association convention in Chicago.
September 17
Urantia Foundation drops legal complaints against the Fellowship and Jesusonian Foundation after discovering there are insufficient grounds for prosecution.Philip Rolnick resigns as Trustee of Urantia Foundation.
1997
January 11
Urantia FoundationTrustees and members of the Fellowship Executive Committee meet to discuss matters of mutual concern for the first time since 1990.
March
Urantia Foundation publishes self-promotional video highlighting Foundation doctrines as set forth in Martin Myer's 1973 talk, "Unity, not Uniformity."
Rocky Mountain Spiritual Fellowship passes unanimous resolution formally declaring themselves a religious group whose symbol of religious belief will be the "Banner of Michael" -- the concentric circles symbol described in The Urantia Book.
June 10
Court of Appeals reverses decision of District Court, restoring Copyright to Urantia Foundation. Case is remanded to lower court for consideration of damages.
June 17
Urantia Foundation's apparent victory, murky as it may be, intimidates the Fellowship into ceasing all of its own activities associated with publishing and distributing the Revelation. The Fellowship announces its discontinuation of publication and distribution of the Uversa Press Edition of The Urantia Book.June 24
Petition for Rehearing filed in Copyright case by Kristen Maaherra.
July 9-13
At the Triennial Delegate Assembly, Resolutions calling for religious activism submitted by Rocky Mountain Spiritual Fellowship.October 17
Urantia Foundation issues subpoenas for financial records of independent readership organizations.October 28
Urantia Foundation trustee Patricia Mundelius informs Fellowship president Janet Farrington that the subpoenas are being withdrawn due to community outrage.Fellowship apparently gives the Foundation a large sum of money, some say $10,000, as payment for the Foundation not suing them. Fellowship gets invited to Foundation Translation Conference in Gay Paree (France). See ASSESS.htm and geiger1.htm
December
Two trustees of Urantia Foundation abruptly resign without explanation. The Foundation's "Code of Silence" is reminiscent of some police departments. Within days, two members of Urantia Foundation's office staff also abruptly resign without explanation.December 20, 1997
Urantia Foundation announces its new "PERMISSION-TO-QUOTE POLICY". This policy dictates that no one in the world may quote more than 1,000 words of the Son of God, Christ Michael, Jesus of Nazareth, our Creator Son, or any of the rest of the Urantia Revelation, without permission from the Urantia Foundation. See permission.htm
1998
February
Fellowship Executive Committee members and longtime Brotherhood leaders, Mo Siegel and Gard Jameson, abandon the Fellowship and switch to the Urantia Foundation, becoming Trustees.Urantia Foundation begins a large scale public relations campaign; stresses "unity". Trustees take show on the road.
Urantia Foundation asks court for permanent injunction against Kristen Maaherra and "those in concert or participation with her."
1999
Urantia Foundation passes 8 year, 4 million dollars spent milestone in the Maaherra suit with at least three motions still before the court. Total costs of Urantia Foundation litigations since 1955 are estimated to be in the range of 6 million dollars.
February
Judge Urbom issues declaratory judgment in Maaherra case upholding Urantia Foundation's claim to copyright but declining to assess damages or issue the requested injunction against Kristen Maaherra.
August 5
Urantia Foundation sends notice of complaint to Harry McMullan regarding the publication of Part IV
October
Urantia Foundation files new brief in Maaherra case
October 12
Urantia Foundation sends letter of complaint to The Urantia Book Fellowship regarding alleged "infringements" on the Fellowship website. The Fellowship responded by requesting a meeting with the Trustees.
November 30
Urantia Foundation initiates lawsuit against Michael Foundation, Inc. for publishing "Jesus -- A New Revelation"2000
January 14
Rumors begin circulating that Martin Myers has filed a complaint with the Illinois State Attorney General's office seeking removal of all 5 trustees of Urantia Foundation.
January 21
Michael Foundation files brief in response to Urantia Foundation's request for preliminary injunction in the suit related to the publication of "Jesus--A New Revelation."
January 26
Fellowship receives registered letter from Georges Dupont -- regarding alleged website infringements.
February
Final ruling handed down in Maaherra case upholding Judge Urbom's granting of Urantia Foundation's Declaratory Judgment.
March
Urantia Foundation begins claiming trademark in the phrase, "The Urantia Book."
April 7
Urantia Foundation revokes policy of offering website licenses.
April 8
Fellowship meets with Baney-Dupont committee. Members of the Fellowship group were given some 700 pages of material relating to Foundation complaints about alleged trademark, copyright, and license violations in the Fellowship website and publications. Before the meeting, UF issued a public announcement that it has now begun to claim the phrase "The Urantia Book" (in addition to the words "Urantia" and "Urantian") as its trademark. This announcement included a policy statement prohibiting use of the phrase "The Urantia Book" as an identifying element in the names of organizations because of trademark infringement.
September
Tonia Baney writes to Maria Eileene:
Dear Maria, You seem like a very religious person, and a devoted URANTIA book reader. I do not know whether you are aware of the fact that the word URANTIA is a trademark meaning to represent the URANTIA book and its teachings as well as name of our planet. Some have started to use it for various projects, and we have come to the point where we must remind everyone of the primary use and ownership of the trademarks URANTIAN, URANTIA, and the Three Concentric Circles. Please change your E-mail address to one that does not contain the trademark URANTIA, within 30 days and confirm by writing or E-mail that you have done so. Thank you in advance; through this action you will assist in preserving the trademarks for future generation not yet born throughout the planet, and for that we are truly grateful. Sincerely, Tonia Baney Executive Director URANTIA Foundation
September 30
David Kantor releases an important statement. Click Here.
October
Urantia Foundation deposes Meredith Sprunger and David Kantor, subpoenas their documents collections.2001
March 16 - 17
Negotiations held in Chicago between representatives of the Fellowship and Urantia Foundation in an attempt to settle problems related to Urantia Foundation's efforts to control content on the Fellowship website. The Fellowship's Executive Committee had been attempting for the past 2 years to arrange a meeting with the trustees of Urantia Foundation to discuss alleged copyright and trademark violations on the Fellowship's website. The trustees continually refused to meet with the Executive Committee resulting in these attorney-mediated "negotiations".
May 25
Urantia Foundation shuts down French Canadian website containing the revelation in French
May 26
Urantia Foundation shuts down Brazilian website containing Portuguese study aids and translations of papers.
June 4 -- Final Michael Foundation filing in Federal copyright infringement case.
June 20 -- Oklahoma City Federal Court places the U.S. copyright to The Urantia Book in the public domain.
August 13 -- General Council votes to publish The Urantia Book.
September -- Rob Crickett claims to meet Michael and Machiventa on the top of Mt. Hermon. He claims to witness the transference of the title of Planetary Prince to Machiventa. Michael supposedly instructs Rob to find 300 people who will give him $40 per month to support his ministry.
September 13 -- Urantia Foundation files appeal in the Michael Foundation case.
September 24 -- Urantia Foundation formally complains about Mexican reader's use of the name and symbols in outreach projects.
October 15 -- Urantia Foundation lays further groundwork for commercial exploitation of their trademarks. Application is for "The Urantia Book" and concentric circles design. New trademark applications published for opposition are:
1. Serial No. 76-008,232: canvas tote bags
2. Serial No. 76-008,234: coffee cups and mugs
3. Serial No. 76-008,235: pens and pencils
4. Serial No. 76-008,233: clothing, namely caps, hats and shirts
October 17 -- Urantia Foundation attorneys send additional complaints to Fellowship
November 15 -- "Asociación Civil Grupo Orvontón" formed in Mexico.
November 20 -- Federal Court denies Urantia Foundation petition to stay the effects of the judgement in the Oklahoma copyright case pending the Foundation's appeal.
Larry Mullins denounces Urantia Foundation for false and misleading advertising regarding their supposed First Printing reprint.
2003 March 11 -- Federal Appeals Court upholds jury decision in Michael Foundation case, confirming that the copyright to the English edition of The Urantia Book has been in the public domain since 1983.
Compiled by Norm Du Val (main
source is David Kantor's History Timeline)
The Banner of Michael
