"BBTI believes that ISKCON, Inc. owned the copyrights outright because the works in question were "works for hire" created by ISKCON, Inc. ISKCON. Inc. supplied the employees who worked on the books with their materials and equipment. ISKCON, Inc. also supplied each of them with room and board and with a stipend for personal or family expenses. Such employees included those who worked in the art department, photography department, Sanskirt editors, Bengali editors, English editors, design and layout specialists, and proof readers, among others, BBTI contends that the California Trust Agreement dated May 29, 1972 did not create a valid trust and that the book publishing and distribution operations of the Movement were in fact never operated according to the provisions of that document. However, in the event the Court finds that that Trust Agreement created a legally valid trust which at the time in question (i.e., 1976) owned some or all of the copyrights registered at that time in the name Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, ISKCON, Inc. was the beneficiary of that trust, and therefore held beneficial title to those copyrights." Transcript of Case No. BC 170617 WRITTEN OBJECTIONS AND RESPONSES BY PLAINTIFF AND
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https://newnandagramcowprotection.wordpress.com/lawsuit/
Here is the cover letter that was sent to the defendants:
June 16, 2019
BBT
P.O. Box 341445
Los Angeles, CA 90034, USA
Hare Krishna Prabhus and Maharajas,
Obeisances. Jaya Srila Prabhupada,
Enclosed is a Common Law complaint presented by New Nandagram Society for Krishna Consciousness to the leaders of ISKCON and the acting trustees of the BBT. After reviewing the 1997 lawsuit filed by the BBTI against Hansadutta Prabhu and estimating the costs in terms of money and time, we decided that the most appropriate way to achieve equity is through a Common Law Court. If you are not familiar with Common Law, it is a universally acceptable way to achieve equity. Even Srila Prabhupada refers to it:
Morning Walk
"Varnasrama College"
—
March 14, 1974, Vrndavana
Visnujana: They even have a court system now. They started it when I was there last time. They have so many members that sometimes someone may commit some offense or something. They even have a judicial type of system where he comes before a board of members, older members.
Prabhupada: Yes. All fights should be decided by the board. That's nice. And it will be accepted even by the court. Here, in India, there is such system. A board of five, ten men in the village, if there is some fight between two parties, whatever the board will decide that will be accepted in the court.
I hope you choose to respond to this lawsuit and answer it in a timely manner. Failure to respond will likely result in a default judgment against the defendants which will be enforced through the regular court system and local sheriffs. As Srila Prabhupada notes above, “...and it will be accepted even by the court.” Please note that individual natural persons are also named as defendants and the court may decide to award damages from the assets of the named natural persons. Common Law is accepted by all countries and can be enforced everywhere.
Because of the scope of this complaint, in fairness to the various defendants, New Nandagram Society for Krishna Consciousness will allow the defendants up to 30 days to respond with an answer. Again, failure to answer in a timely manner will likely result in a default judgment against the defendants.
Let us work together to resolve these issues to the satisfaction of Srila Prabhupada! Remember he said, “your love for me will be shown by how you cooperate together.”
Wishing you the best,
Anuttama dasi