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Religious Technology Center

The Religious Technology Center (RTC) is an American non-profit corporation[2][1] that was founded in 1982 by the Church of Scientology to control and oversee the use of all of the trademarks, symbols and texts of Scientology and Dianetics. Although RTC controls their use, those works are owned by another corporation, the Church of Spiritual Technology which is doing business as L. Ron Hubbard Library, registered in Los Angeles County, California.[3][4]

Religious Technology Center
Logo of the Religious Technology Center
Formation1982
TypeReligious / commercial
Legal statusCalifornia non-profit corporation[1]
HeadquartersGilman Hot Springs, California, United States
Chairman
David Miscavige
Websitertc.org

While exercising authority over the use of all Dianetics and Scientology materials, RTC claims that it is not involved in the day-to-day management of the Church of Scientology; that role is assigned to a separate corporation, the Church of Scientology International (CSI). According to the RTC website, "RTC stands apart as an external body which protects the Scientology religion and acts as the final arbiter of orthodoxy" and its stated purpose is "to protect the public from misapplication of the technology and to see that the religious technologies of Dianetics and Scientology remain in proper hands and are properly ministered".[5]

Since 1987, David Miscavige has served as the organization's chairman of the board.[6]

In a 1993 memorandum by the Church of Scientology International, the following information was provided to the Internal Revenue Service with regards to RTC's role and functions, its personnel and its income:[7]

"[...] RTC [...] owns the Scientology religious marks and advanced technology. It licenses the marks to CSI for sublicense to subordinate churches and directly licenses the advanced technology to appropriate churches. Through this structure RTC assures that practice of the Scientology religion within the ecclesiastical hierarchy under CSI's authority as Mother Church remains strictly orthodox, in accordance with the Scientology Scriptures. This church has a staff of approximately 50 individuals and an annual budget of approximately $ 6.6 million, based on its annual disbursements for the most recent year for which financial statements are available. [...]"

The RTC guarantees the "purity and workability of Scientology so far into the future", thus engaging in programs to “restore, preserve, maintain and keep uncorrupted” the church's "religious technology", according to Scientology spokesman Eric Roux.[8][9]

Corporate information edit

 
Offices of the Religious Technology Center in Los Angeles

RTC was incorporated on January 1, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, by Terri Gamboa, David Mayo, Norman Starkey, Phoebe Mauerer, Lyman Spurlock, Julia Watson, and David Miscavige.[10] Six months later, on June 15, 1982, the Articles of Incorporation were restated.[11] On April 8, 1986, they were amended in order to clarify the disposition of RTC's assets upon the dissolution of the corporation.[12]

At present the official address of RTC is 1710 Ivar Avenue, Suite 1100, Los Angeles 90028, in the Hollywood Guaranty Building, while its main offices are on a big estate complex at 19625 Highway 79, Gilman Hot Springs 92383, California, as it was stated in a supporting document of Scientology's tax-exempt application to the IRS during the years 1992/1993.[13]

On September 21, 1993, the following individuals held corporate positions at RTC: The Board of Trustees was composed of David Miscavige, Gregory Wilhere, and Norman F. Starkey. The members of RTC's Board of Directors were at that time Mark Rathbun, Warren McShane, and David Miscavige. RTC's President was Mark Rathbun, its Secretary Warren McShane, and its Treasurer Barbara Griffin.[14]

As of February 5, 2001 RTC's corporate officers were Warren McShane (Chief Executive Officer/President), Laurisse Stuckenbrock (Secretary), and Barbara Griffin (Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer).[15]

As of March 14, 2008, RTC's official agent has been the attorney Sherman D. Lenske from the law firm Lenske, Lenske & Abramson ALC, Warner Atrium, 6400 Canoga Avenue, Suite 315, Woodland Hills 91367-2491.[16]

On August 19, 1993, RTC filed an application for tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.[17] In the same year the Internal Revenue Service granted RTC's request for exemption.[2]

The granting of tax exemption to RTC and other Scientology corporations was preceded by years of continuous litigation between the IRS and the various entities of Scientology. According to former high-ranking executives, the Scientology organization had launched about 200 lawsuits against the IRS until 1991. During the same time, individual parishioners of Scientology had initiated 2,300 claims against the agency, challenging the denial of tax deduction for their services at Scientology organizations. Late 1991, the dispute over Scientology's tax-exempt status began to resolve through high-level meetings between David Miscavige and the then Commissioner of the IRS, Fred Goldberg, who encouraged a final resolution of the legal battle.[18]

Main corporate activities edit

The Religious Technology Center (RTC) is the owner of certain trademarks and service marks. These marks and its related intellectual property form the "Dianetics spiritual healing technology" and the "Scientology applied religious technology".[19]

Scientology organizations, like "Churches", "Celebrity Centres" or "Missions", derive their income from the worldwide sales of this "technology" in form of courses, books, etc. to their members or to the general public. The organizations receive the right to sell the "technology" through license agreements with RTC as license holder and/or the Church of Scientology International (CSI) as a sub-licensor. RTC and CSI in return derive their corporative income through the license fees, which in turn are obtained through those agreements. The licensing and its related actions are major corporate activities of the various Scientology-organizations.[20]

Licensing of trademarks and service marks edit

Church of Spiritual Technology (CST) edit

Shortly after its inception on January 1, 1982, RTC received on May 16, 1982 "the ownership, supervision and control" of the trademarks and service marks identifying "Scientology applied religious philosophy" and "Dianetics spiritual healing technology" by the originator and founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard through an "assignment agreement".[21]

This agreement was subject to an additional "Option Agreement" between Hubbard, RTC and another Scientology corporation, the Church of Spiritual Technology (CST). In two "Option Agreements" from May 1982, Hubbard granted CST the right to purchase at any time from RTC the "Marks", the "Advanced Technology" and all the rights to them for the sum of $100.[22][23]

Parallel and similar-sounding agreements between Hubbard, RTC and CST were created during that period concerning the "Advanced Technology", which consists of unpublished derivates of Scientology's confidential "Advanced technology" (OT Levels).[24][25]

Under these agreements RTC is to turn over 90% of its net income to CST. A document from 1991, reflecting the "financial money flows" of RTC during the year 1989, showed a turnover of 59% of RTC's net income towards CST.[26]

Church of Scientology International (CSI) edit

RTC and Church of Scientology International (CSI) entered a license agreement on May 18, 1982, granting CSI, the new "Mother Church of Scientology", the right to use and sub-license certain of the trademarks and service marks. In return for the grant of the marks, the agreement gave RTC practically an unlimited corporate control not only over the activities of CSI but also over every organization that is a sub-licensee of CSI.[20]

In particular the agreement stated:

"[...] d) RTC shall have the right to monitor all operations of CSI and its related organizations, inspect all books, records and facilities, pertaining to use of the Marks and receive sample specimens and summaries of literature, publications and products using the marks, [...] e) RTC may, if it ever deems it necessary or advisable, send a corrective mission to any organization authorized the Marks to correct any deviation from the standards, specifications or guidelines of this Agreement, [... ]"

Additionally RTC and CSI signed on January 1, 1982, an "Organizational Covenant" granting CSI the right to deliver the "Advanced Technology" to its staff members.[27]

Church of Scientology Western United States (CoSWUS) edit

RTC and Church of Scientology Western United States (CoSWUS) entered on May 23, 1985, an organizational covenant granting CoSWUS the right to sell and deliver the "Advanced Technology" to its public members while guaranteeing weekly payments of 6% of the monetary value of the "Advanced Technology"-services that are being delivered to the public from CoSWUS towards RTC.[28]

Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization (FSO) edit

On January 1, 1982, RTC and Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization (FSO) signed an organizational covenant with similar content to the covenant between RTC and CoSWUS.[29]

Other Scientology organizations edit

RTC has entered over the years similar organizational covenants/license agreements with all the other "Advanced Organizations" (AOs) within the Scientology network. As all the AO's are integrated within a corporation, these agreements are formulated between RTC and these corporations, such as "Church of Scientology Flag Ship Service Organization, Inc." from Netherlands Antilles,[30] the "Church of Scientology Religious Education College, Inc." from East Grinstead, England,[31] the "Church of Scientology, Inc." from Sydney, Australia[32] and with "Church of Scientology Advanced Organization Saint Hill Europe & Africa" (AOSH EU).[33]

RTC has registered its service marks and trademarks in various countries all over the world. Due to certain legal restrictions for religious corporations in certain countries, RTC founded the corporation "Inspector General Network, Inc." (IGN) on June 7, 1985, which functions as a "secular" representative for RTC in those countries.[34] In 1985 RTC entered with IGN a so-called "Reversion and Reservation Agreement", which regulated the rights and obligations with regards to the Scientology and Dianetics trademarks of the "secular" organizations IGN and "World Institute of Scientology Enterprises, Inc." (WISE Inc.), a dormant Delaware corporation.[35]

Control of other corporations edit

At the time of RTC's filing for tax exemption, RTC controlled four other corporations:[17]

Inspector General Network" (IGN)

IGN has served as legal representative for RTC and secular registered owner of RTC's trade and service marks "in countries where contracts by religious corporations are not enforced". All corporate positions of IGN were held by members of RTC.

WISE, Inc.

At the time of Scientology's application for tax exemption, WISE, Inc. has been a dormant corporation from Delaware. It had the same functions as IGN, prior to IGN's incorporation in 1985.

RTC Australia

RTC Australia was incorporated in 1986 as a regional office for RTC in Australia. It is a dormant corporation and has obtained tax exempt status.

Inspector General Network International AB" (IGN Int

IGN was incorporated in 1992 in Sweden. The organization was founded to register Scientology's trade and service marks as a nominee for RTC in countries, such as Libya or Iran "that do not recognize and will not do business with any United States entity".

Organizational structure and management edit

RTC stands hierarchically at the top of the Church of Scientology network. It has regulatory, corporate and ecclesiastical power over the policy and activities of all other Scientology management units, corporations, churches, missions and other organizations - with the only exception being the Church of Spiritual Technology. The position of RTC is notably visible in a drawing titled "The Command Channels of Scientology", which the Church of Scientology International (CSI) and RTC provided to the IRS in their application for tax-exempt status. The Church of Spiritual Technology has not been included in this application.[36]

In its application for tax exemption, RTC described the internal structure of the organization as follows:[17]

"[...] RTC's daily activities are carried out by a staff of 54 highly-trained individuals who function in their positions within the overall ecclesiastical hierarchy of the Scientology religion. Through receipt of reports and direct inspections, RTC ensures that those utilizing the marks are ministering orthodox Scientology religious services. [...]"

"[...] The senior ecclesiastical position in RTC is held by David Miscavige, who continues to serve as Chairman of the Board RTC and also as Inspector General. There are also several Deputy Inspector Generals who assist in the performance of RTC's

religious functions. There is a Deputy Inspector General who functions as Chairman of the Board RTC's second in command and sees to the day to day functioning of the organization. There is a Deputy Inspector General who oversees internal matters in RTC

and another who is in charge of RTC's religious programs."

"The religious mission of RTC, protecting the orthodoxy of the technologies of Dianetics and Scientology, is carried out by two ecclesiastical divisions within RTC as described below. There is now one Inspectorate division which consists of four departments. The Department of Data receives reports and collects information from other organizations and Scientologists and collates, analyzes and distributes the information to all other departments that require it.

"The Department of Trademark Registration, Maintenance and Enforcement gets the religious marks of Dianetics and Scientology legally registered and sees to it that all users of the marks are properly licensed. It also investigates and, where necessary, prosecutes legal infringements of the marks."

"The Department of Technical Policing inspects application of the Scientology Scriptures pertaining to the ministry of religious services by licensees and corrects misapplication where it is found."

"The Department of Organization Policing inspects the application of Scientology Scriptures as it pertains to governance of the ecclesiastical hierarchy and corrects misapplication where it is found."

"Authorization, Verification and Correction International ('AVC INT') is a division within RTC which is responsible for authorizing and verifying that the ecclesiastical programs, evaluations, strategies, promotional materials and issues as authored by CSI are in accordance with Scripture. [...]"

As previously mentioned, RTC is currently led by the "chairman of the board (of directors)" David Miscavige, who has held this position since 1987. Miscavige has been in leading positions within the Scientology management since the early 1980s. Prior to being in his current position, Miscavige had been a member of the Commodore's Messenger Organization and had been instrumental in the internal purge of the Guardian's Office, the former intelligence service and legal defense unit of the Scientology network. In 1982 he became the chief executive officer and later the chairman of the board of the for-profit corporation Author Services Inc. (ASI). Miscavige stayed on this position until 1987.[37]

About the role and the position of the RTC within the structure of the Scientology network, David Miscavige declared in 1994:[38]

"[...] Since March of 1987, I have been Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center [...]. RTC is not part of Church management, nor is it involved in the daily affairs of various Church of Scientology organizations or missions. RTC ensures that the trademarks of Dianetics and Scientology, and the technology they represent, are properly used around the world.

[...] 8 . RTC was formed with the specific purpose of seeing that the religion of Scientology was kept pure and true to the source materials of the religion. In fact, a major reason for its formation was to have such a Church organization that performed these functions in a capacity entirely separate from the actual management of the various Churches and Missions of Scientology. Not only is RTC not involved in the management of the international hierarchy of Scientology churches, but its very existence and performance of its true functions depends on the fact that it is not part of Church management. The authority of the Religious Technology Center stems from the ownership of the trademarks of Dianetics and Scientology.

[...] 11. Neither RTC nor I has any corporate authority over any Scientology church, including CSI. CSI is the Mother Church of the Scientology religion and has been since its inception in 1981. As such, CSI is responsible for the activities commensurate with such a role, including the ecclesiastical management of Churches, dissemination and propagation of the faith and defense of its activities, including external and legal affairs. [...]"

Such representations stand in stark contrast to declarations of high-level ex-scientologists, who have worked in the Scientology management. Former CSI security officer Andre Tabayoyon and former RTC second-in-command Jesse Prince have stated in affidavits and declarations that RTC and its chairman David Miscavige maintain de facto control of the entire Scientology network, including the Church of Scientology International.[39]

Within that context, André Tabayoyon stated in a 1994 declaration the following about Miscavige's exertion of power as Chairman of the Board and ultimate head of the global Scientology network:[40]

"[...] 59. I have personal knowledge that Miscavige issues oral and written orders and instructions to Scientologists irrespective of either ecclesiastical lines of authority or corporate lines of is authority or demarcation. Miscavige uses this omnipotent authority to exercise personal control over any and all Scientology organizations whenever he elects to do so. I observed that in running the various Scientology organizations, Miscavige constantly crosses all corporate and ecclesiastical command lines without regard to the fact that there are numerous Scientology related corporations of which he is neither an employee, officer nor director. He does not have to be to control any Scientology organization. He is above all Scientology organizations as the ecclesiastical head of Scientology, COB RTC and Commander of the Sea Org. In this capacity, Miscavige acts as the managing agent of each Scientology organization."

"[...] 61. I personally observed Miscavige take over this position of ultimate power over all of Scientology after Hubbard died. I observed Miscavige when he was COB RTC ordering into Golden Era Studios ('Gold'), a CSI division, and ordering into the Commodore's Messenger Organization International ('CMO Int'), another CSI division planetary dissemination organization, etc. Both of these Sea Org units are corporately part of CSI. RTC, CMO Int and Gold are all located at a large compound north of Hemet, California called Gilman Hot Springs. It is called Gold. As I learned, the Scientology corporate structure was only for the benefit of the outside 'wog' world. It didn't have any bearing on how Scientology operated."

"62. When Hubbard was alive it was common knowledge and I also observed it personally that he was in direct control, via Miscavige and Pat Broeker, of CMO Int and Gold, and the rest of Scientology. After Hubbard died[,] Miscavige ousted Pat Broeker and Vicki Aznaran, who were then in control of Scientology. After that, it was my experience that Miscavige had complete control over Scientology just as Hubbard had when he was alive. Miscavige took over Hubbard's place as managing agent of all Scientology organizations. [...]"

Mark ("Marty") Rathbun, David Miscavige and Warren McShane, Deputy Inspector General for Legal Affairs formed for several years the above-mentioned "Board of Directors RTC".[41] As of March 2008, all references to both Rathbun and McShane have disappeared from the RTC website, and their names or pictures have also been removed from other official Scientology websites. Though Miscavige is still listed as chairman of the board, no other board members are acknowledged.[42]

Within the executive branch of RTC existed at least until 2001 the position of "Inspector General RTC", which had been held by Mark Rathbun. This network spanned from RTC headquarters in Gilman Hot Springs, California to all of the "Advanced Organizations" in Los Angeles, Clearwater, East Grinstead, Copenhagen and Sidney, where RTC has maintained offices.[41]

In an internal newsletter, "Keeping Scientology Working", RTC stated the following about the purpose and duties of the "Inspector General Network":[43]

"These Deputy Inspector Generals head the entire IG Network, which locates and handles internal and external infiltration and suppression, legally protects and safeguards the trademarks and technology of the religion of Scientology, and sees that management, orgs and missions and their application of tech and policy remain standard and true to LRH's writings."

While RTC has a dominant role over the "mother church", CSI and its subordinate organizations, the relationship to the Church of Spiritual Technology (CST) is unclear. While the above-mentioned "assignment agreement" with L. Ron Hubbard on May 10, 1982, granted CST corporative authority over RTC with respect to Scientology's trademarks and service marks, there is no sign that CST ever executed any internal, "ecclesiastical" authority over RTC. In fact, the U.S. Claims Court noted in its opinion in a tax case, which involved CST in 1992:[44]

"CST claims that it does not and will not monitor RTC's use of the religious marks and technology. CST explains that there is no need to do so because any unorthodox use would be immediately obvious. Regardless of how it arrived at the conclusion, however, the point is that one of its obligations is to prevent misuse of the marks and technology. CST's present confidence in RTC has no significance. If CST ignored that element of its charter, one of the assumptions built into LRH's gift would be missing. Monitoring for a misuse by RTC is a form of ongoing oversight. The decision to exercise the option is an ecclesiastical one which would not be readily susceptible to judicial review."

Litigation edit

Since its inception in 1982, RTC has been involved in various lawsuits in both state and federal courts. The majority of the cases initiated by RTC contend unauthorized use of Scientology's copyrights, service marks, or trademarks. Critics of Scientology contend that a great number of these lawsuits have been launched in order "to silence critics".[45] The courts have agreed in some cases; in RTC v. Lerma Judge Leonie Brinkema found that the RTC's lawsuit was intended to pursue the "broader motivation" of "the stifling of criticism and dissent of the religious practices of Scientology and the destruction of its opponents".[46]

The RTC filed a lawsuit on January 1, 1985, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against Robin Scott and the Church of New Civilization (not to be confused with the New Civilization Church), a Scientology splinter group, alleging theft and unauthorized use of confidential material owned by RTC. The case took over a decade to resolve, and was dismissed on April 11, 1996, by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In its final opinion the court summarized the history of the case and commented on the conduct of RTC while the case was litigated:[47]

"[...] In January 1985 RTC sued Mayo and other persons connected with the Church of the New Civilization, a splinter group of the official Church of Scientology, contending that they were making unauthorized use of stolen documents relating to the religion of Scientology. RTC stated that it was "the protector" of the religion of Scientology, its philosophy and its technology "including the Advanced Technology" consisting of "confidential and proprietary information regarding counseling and training", and was the owner of various trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office protecting the Advanced Technology. [...]"

"[...] After 1,825 docket entries and nine years of pretrial litigation involving three discovery magistrates, a special master, the recusal of two district court judges, the denial of five petitions for writ of mandamus, three appeals [...] and three denials of certiorari by the Supreme Court, the third district judge [...] entered Final Judgment."

"[...] [T]here is little doubt that RTC is playing "fast and loose" with the judicial system as required in the minority view of estoppel. To first assert that its unfair competition and false designation of origin claims are justiciable and at the same time assert that Mayo's identical claims are not is at best questionable; in light of RTC's documented history of vexatious behavior, RTC's actions are indefensible. [...]"

Knowledge reports edit

The RTC maintains a task force called the Inspector General Network, an investigatory body which operates from seven offices on four different continents.[48] The IGN's stated function is to "keep Scientology working by ensuring the pure and ethical use of Dianetics and Scientology technology."[49]

RTC, like the Church of Scientology, encourages the use of "Knowledge Reports" (KR) from anyone inside or outside of the Church, to report on potential misuse of the Standard Tech and copyrighted/trademarked materials. They maintain an online form in which anyone is encouraged to report any such matters that may be of concern.[50] The use of reports is one system used by RTC to police the use of Scientology materials and the application.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Rosenoer, Jonathan (1997). Cyberlaw: the law of the Internet. Springer. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-387-94832-4. OL 7448604M. Religious Technology Center and Bridge Publications Inc., California non-profit corporations ... are owners of rights to published and unpublished works of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion.
  2. ^ a b Letter by the Internal Revenue Service to Flemming Paludan, Regional Director, Danish Tax-Office, Washington, D.C., USA, December 22, 1993
  3. ^ Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, as an example 2007-06-28 at the Wayback Machine, under "HUBBARD L RON LIBRARY"
  4. ^ Notice for Materials Copyrighted to Church of Scientology International
  5. ^ Section of RTC Website 2006-04-30 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Lewis, James R. (2004). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press. p. 247. ISBN 0-19-515683-8.
  7. ^ Summary Description of Churches of Scientology - RTC, CSI, CSFSSO, CSFSO, Other Churches, Missions, Field Ministers, CSI Prod. 11-4-93, Bate Stamp: 151396 - 151398, Ex. 1-3, Washington, DC, 1993
  8. ^ "Scientology faces ban in Belgium". AFP. news.com.au. December 12, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  9. ^ Roux, Eric (July 21, 2016). "Scientology". In Gallagher, Eugene V. (ed.). Cult Wars in Historical Perspective: New and Minority Religions. Routledge. ISBN 978-1472458124.
  10. ^ Articles of Incorporation of Religious Technology Center, Endorsed Filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of California, Los Angeles, California, January 1, 1982
  11. ^ Restated Articles of Incorporation of Religious Technology Center, Bate Stamp: A 253931, Los Angeles, California, June 15th & September 13th, 1982
  12. ^ Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation - Religious Technology Center, Los Angeles, California, April 8th, May 13th & 14th, 1986
  13. ^ Response to Second Series of Questions, Church of Scientology International, Correspondence with Internal Revenue Service, Exhibit for Application for Tax-Exempt Status 501(c)(3), June 29th, 1992
  14. ^ List of Trustees, Directors & Officers (of Church of Scientology Entities) - Ex. I-2, CSI Prod 11-4-93, Bate Stamp: 151380 - 151395, Los Angeles, California, September 21st, 1993
  15. ^ Statement by Domestic Nonprofit Corporation, Religious Technology Center, Secretary of State, State of California, Filed: Sacramento, California, February 9th, 2001
  16. ^ Entry for Religious Technology Center, California Business Portal of the Secretary of the State of California/March 22, 2008 March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ a b c Form 1023 - Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code - Religious Technology Center, Washington, DC, August 19th, 1993
  18. ^
    • The Truth Rundown, a three-part series by Thomas C. Tobin and Joe Childs, St Petersburg Times
    • "Part 1 — Scientology: The Truth Rundown". June 21, 2009. from the original on February 9, 2013.
    • "The Truth Rundown, Part 2 — Death in slow motion". June 22, 2009. from the original on October 24, 2019.
    • "The Truth Rundown, Part 3 — Ecclesiastical justice". June 23, 2009. from the original on August 9, 2009.
  19. ^ Copyright and trademark notice of the book "Dianetics" by L. Ron Hubbard, Los Angeles, California, (c) 1950, 2000, ISBN 0-88404-632-X
  20. ^ a b "License Agreement - CSI (Marks)", License Agreement between Religious Technology Center and Church of Scientology International, California, May 18th, 1982
  21. ^ "Assignment Agreement (LRH/RTC) (Marks)", Notarized Agreement between L. Ron Hubbard and the Religious Technology Center, County of Los Angeles, California, May 16th, 1982
  22. ^ "Option Agreement (Marks)", Notarized Agreement between L. Ron Hubbard and the Church of Spiritual Technology, County of Los Angeles, California, May 10th, 1982/July 9th, 1982
  23. ^ Option Agreement (Advanced Technology-U.S.) - Notarized Agreement between L. Ron Hubbard and the Church of Spiritual Technology, California, May 10th & July 9th, 1982
  24. ^ Metz, Cade (April 8, 2008). "Scientology threatens Wikileaks with injunction". The Register. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  25. ^ "Assignment Agreement (LRH/RTC) (Advanced Technology - US)", Notarized Agreement between L. Ron Hubbard and the Religious Technology Center, Los Angeles, California, May 10th & 16th, 1982
  26. ^ "Religious Technology Center - Analysis of Financial Flows 1989", Exhibit I-9 for Application for Tax-Exempt Status 501(c)(3), Bate Stamp: CSI Prod 11-4-93 151414
  27. ^ "Organizational Covenant - Advanced Technology - US", Covenant between Church of Scientology International & Religious Technology Center, Location: probably Los Angeles, California, January 1st, 1982
  28. ^ "Organizational Covenant - Advanced Technology - US", Covenant between the Church of Scientology Western United States & Religious Technology Center, Location: probably: Los Angeles, California, May 23rd, 1985
  29. ^ "Organizational Covenant - Advanced Technology - US", Covenant between Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization & Religious Technology Center, Location: probably Clearwater, Florida, January 1st, 1982
  30. ^ License Agreement - RTC/Licensee - License Agreement between Religious Technology Center and Church of Scientology Flag Ship Service Organization, Netherlands Antilles, June 2nd, 1988
  31. ^ Advanced Technology Covenant RTC/RECI, Covenant between Religious Technology Center & Church of Scientology Religious Education College, Inc., East Grinstead, England, November 18th, & December 1st, 1988
  32. ^ Advanced Technology Covenant RTC/Church of Scientology (Australia), Covenant between Religious Technology Center & Church of Scientology Inc., Sydney, Australia, December 24th, 1988 & March 16th, 1989
  33. ^ Example Covenant: "Advanced Technology Covenant - RTC/AOSH", Covenant between the Church of Scientology Advanced Organization Saint Hill Europe & Africa & Religious Technology Center, Copenhagen, Denmark, December 1st, 1988, November 25th & December 14th, 1989
  34. ^ Notarized Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation, Inspector General Network, Endorsed Filed in the Office of the Secretary of State in the State of California, CSI Prod - November 22, 1993 - Bate Stamp: 237255, Los Angeles, California, June 7th, 1985
  35. ^ Reversion and Reservation Agreement between Religious Technology Center and Inspector General Network, a California non-profit public benefit corporation, Los Angeles, California, June 17th, & 18th, 1985
  36. ^ The Command Channels of Scientology, Sketch depicting the hierarchical structure of the network of the Church of Scientology, the drawing was provided by CSI to the IRS in their application for tax-exempt status in September 1993
  37. ^ Tobin, Thomas C (October 25, 1998). "The Man Behind Scientology". St Petersburg Times. from the original on November 12, 1999. , ,
  38. ^ Declaration of David Miscavige, Church of Scientology International vs. Steven Fishman & Uwe Geertz, Case No. CV 91-6426 (HLH (Tx), U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Riverside County, February 8th, 1994
  39. ^ Affidavit of Jesse Prince 2004-11-01 at the Wayback Machine United States District Court, Central District of California, San Jose Division case no. C-95-20091 RMW (EAI)
  40. ^ Declaration of Andre Tabayoyon from April 4, 1994, Church of Scientology International, Case No. CV 91 6426 HLH (Tx), U.S. District Court for the Central District of California September 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  41. ^ a b Religious Technology Center, Board of Directors, (c) 1999–2001 Religious Technology Center, http://www.rtc.org/board/
  42. ^ David Miscavige - Official website of Religious Technology Center, (c) 1996–2008 Religious Technology Center
  43. ^ "Keeping Scientology Working", Caption of photo depicting the staff of the RTC IG Network, page 4, (c) 1995 Church of Scientology International
  44. ^ Opinion, Church of Spiritual Technology vs. United States, No. 581-88T, United Claims Court, June 29, 1992
  45. ^ Church in Cyberspace, Marc Fisher, Washington Post, August 19, 1995
  46. ^ . Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
  47. ^ Unpublished Opinion from April 11, 1996, Religious Technology Center et al. vs. Robin Scott et al., 82 F.3d 423, 1996 WL 171443, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  48. ^ . Archived from the original on April 30, 2006. Retrieved April 17, 2006.
  49. ^ . Archived from the original on October 22, 2006. Retrieved October 22, 2006.
  50. ^ "Religious Technology Center | David Miscavige Chairman | Report a Trademark, Policy or Practice Violation".

Further reading edit

  • Rosenoer, Jonathan (November 7, 1996). Cyberlaw: the Law of the Internet. Springer. pp. 62–88. ISBN 978-0-387-94832-4. OL 7448604M.

External links edit

Scientology sources

  • Official website of the Religious Technology Center
    • Chairman of the Board, RTC
  • Scientology FAQs: What is Religious Technology Center?
  • A Description of the Religious Technology Center (RTC)

Critical sources

  • Jesse Prince articles

Magazine articles

  • "Scientology from inside out" by Robert Vaughn Young, Quill magazine, Volume 81, Number 9, Nov/Dec 1993.

Location of Gold Base

  • Satellite photograph of "Gold base", Gilman Hot Springs, California

religious, technology, center, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, relies, excessively, references, primary, sources, please, improve, this, . This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article relies excessively on references to primary sources Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources Find sources Religious Technology Center news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2008 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article may require copy editing for cutting cruft and tone You can assist by editing it October 2023 Learn how and when to remove this template message Learn how and when to remove this template message The Religious Technology Center RTC is an American non profit corporation 2 1 that was founded in 1982 by the Church of Scientology to control and oversee the use of all of the trademarks symbols and texts of Scientology and Dianetics Although RTC controls their use those works are owned by another corporation the Church of Spiritual Technology which is doing business as L Ron Hubbard Library registered in Los Angeles County California 3 4 Religious Technology CenterLogo of the Religious Technology CenterFormation1982TypeReligious commercialLegal statusCalifornia non profit corporation 1 HeadquartersGilman Hot Springs California United StatesChairmanDavid MiscavigeWebsitertc wbr orgWhile exercising authority over the use of all Dianetics and Scientology materials RTC claims that it is not involved in the day to day management of the Church of Scientology that role is assigned to a separate corporation the Church of Scientology International CSI According to the RTC website RTC stands apart as an external body which protects the Scientology religion and acts as the final arbiter of orthodoxy and its stated purpose is to protect the public from misapplication of the technology and to see that the religious technologies of Dianetics and Scientology remain in proper hands and are properly ministered 5 Since 1987 David Miscavige has served as the organization s chairman of the board 6 In a 1993 memorandum by the Church of Scientology International the following information was provided to the Internal Revenue Service with regards to RTC s role and functions its personnel and its income 7 RTC owns the Scientology religious marks and advanced technology It licenses the marks to CSI for sublicense to subordinate churches and directly licenses the advanced technology to appropriate churches Through this structure RTC assures that practice of the Scientology religion within the ecclesiastical hierarchy under CSI s authority as Mother Church remains strictly orthodox in accordance with the Scientology Scriptures This church has a staff of approximately 50 individuals and an annual budget of approximately 6 6 million based on its annual disbursements for the most recent year for which financial statements are available The RTC guarantees the purity and workability of Scientology so far into the future thus engaging in programs to restore preserve maintain and keep uncorrupted the church s religious technology according to Scientology spokesman Eric Roux 8 9 Contents 1 Corporate information 2 Main corporate activities 3 Licensing of trademarks and service marks 3 1 Church of Spiritual Technology CST 3 2 Church of Scientology International CSI 3 3 Church of Scientology Western United States CoSWUS 3 4 Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization FSO 3 5 Other Scientology organizations 4 Control of other corporations 5 Organizational structure and management 6 Litigation 7 Knowledge reports 8 See also 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External linksCorporate information edit nbsp Offices of the Religious Technology Center in Los AngelesRTC was incorporated on January 1 1982 in Los Angeles California by Terri Gamboa David Mayo Norman Starkey Phoebe Mauerer Lyman Spurlock Julia Watson and David Miscavige 10 Six months later on June 15 1982 the Articles of Incorporation were restated 11 On April 8 1986 they were amended in order to clarify the disposition of RTC s assets upon the dissolution of the corporation 12 At present the official address of RTC is 1710 Ivar Avenue Suite 1100 Los Angeles 90028 in the Hollywood Guaranty Building while its main offices are on a big estate complex at 19625 Highway 79 Gilman Hot Springs 92383 California as it was stated in a supporting document of Scientology s tax exempt application to the IRS during the years 1992 1993 13 On September 21 1993 the following individuals held corporate positions at RTC The Board of Trustees was composed of David Miscavige Gregory Wilhere and Norman F Starkey The members of RTC s Board of Directors were at that time Mark Rathbun Warren McShane and David Miscavige RTC s President was Mark Rathbun its Secretary Warren McShane and its Treasurer Barbara Griffin 14 As of February 5 2001 RTC s corporate officers were Warren McShane Chief Executive Officer President Laurisse Stuckenbrock Secretary and Barbara Griffin Chief Financial Officer Treasurer 15 As of March 14 2008 RTC s official agent has been the attorney Sherman D Lenske from the law firm Lenske Lenske amp Abramson ALC Warner Atrium 6400 Canoga Avenue Suite 315 Woodland Hills 91367 2491 16 On August 19 1993 RTC filed an application for tax exemption under section 501 c 3 of the Internal Revenue Code 17 In the same year the Internal Revenue Service granted RTC s request for exemption 2 The granting of tax exemption to RTC and other Scientology corporations was preceded by years of continuous litigation between the IRS and the various entities of Scientology According to former high ranking executives the Scientology organization had launched about 200 lawsuits against the IRS until 1991 During the same time individual parishioners of Scientology had initiated 2 300 claims against the agency challenging the denial of tax deduction for their services at Scientology organizations Late 1991 the dispute over Scientology s tax exempt status began to resolve through high level meetings between David Miscavige and the then Commissioner of the IRS Fred Goldberg who encouraged a final resolution of the legal battle 18 Main corporate activities editThe Religious Technology Center RTC is the owner of certain trademarks and service marks These marks and its related intellectual property form the Dianetics spiritual healing technology and the Scientology applied religious technology 19 Scientology organizations like Churches Celebrity Centres or Missions derive their income from the worldwide sales of this technology in form of courses books etc to their members or to the general public The organizations receive the right to sell the technology through license agreements with RTC as license holder and or the Church of Scientology International CSI as a sub licensor RTC and CSI in return derive their corporative income through the license fees which in turn are obtained through those agreements The licensing and its related actions are major corporate activities of the various Scientology organizations 20 Licensing of trademarks and service marks editChurch of Spiritual Technology CST edit Shortly after its inception on January 1 1982 RTC received on May 16 1982 the ownership supervision and control of the trademarks and service marks identifying Scientology applied religious philosophy and Dianetics spiritual healing technology by the originator and founder of Scientology L Ron Hubbard through an assignment agreement 21 This agreement was subject to an additional Option Agreement between Hubbard RTC and another Scientology corporation the Church of Spiritual Technology CST In two Option Agreements from May 1982 Hubbard granted CST the right to purchase at any time from RTC the Marks the Advanced Technology and all the rights to them for the sum of 100 22 23 Parallel and similar sounding agreements between Hubbard RTC and CST were created during that period concerning the Advanced Technology which consists of unpublished derivates of Scientology s confidential Advanced technology OT Levels 24 25 Under these agreements RTC is to turn over 90 of its net income to CST A document from 1991 reflecting the financial money flows of RTC during the year 1989 showed a turnover of 59 of RTC s net income towards CST 26 Church of Scientology International CSI edit RTC and Church of Scientology International CSI entered a license agreement on May 18 1982 granting CSI the new Mother Church of Scientology the right to use and sub license certain of the trademarks and service marks In return for the grant of the marks the agreement gave RTC practically an unlimited corporate control not only over the activities of CSI but also over every organization that is a sub licensee of CSI 20 In particular the agreement stated d RTC shall have the right to monitor all operations of CSI and its related organizations inspect all books records and facilities pertaining to use of the Marks and receive sample specimens and summaries of literature publications and products using the marks e RTC may if it ever deems it necessary or advisable send a corrective mission to any organization authorized the Marks to correct any deviation from the standards specifications or guidelines of this Agreement Additionally RTC and CSI signed on January 1 1982 an Organizational Covenant granting CSI the right to deliver the Advanced Technology to its staff members 27 Church of Scientology Western United States CoSWUS edit RTC and Church of Scientology Western United States CoSWUS entered on May 23 1985 an organizational covenant granting CoSWUS the right to sell and deliver the Advanced Technology to its public members while guaranteeing weekly payments of 6 of the monetary value of the Advanced Technology services that are being delivered to the public from CoSWUS towards RTC 28 Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization FSO edit On January 1 1982 RTC and Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization FSO signed an organizational covenant with similar content to the covenant between RTC and CoSWUS 29 Other Scientology organizations edit RTC has entered over the years similar organizational covenants license agreements with all the other Advanced Organizations AOs within the Scientology network As all the AO s are integrated within a corporation these agreements are formulated between RTC and these corporations such as Church of Scientology Flag Ship Service Organization Inc from Netherlands Antilles 30 the Church of Scientology Religious Education College Inc from East Grinstead England 31 the Church of Scientology Inc from Sydney Australia 32 and with Church of Scientology Advanced Organization Saint Hill Europe amp Africa AOSH EU 33 RTC has registered its service marks and trademarks in various countries all over the world Due to certain legal restrictions for religious corporations in certain countries RTC founded the corporation Inspector General Network Inc IGN on June 7 1985 which functions as a secular representative for RTC in those countries 34 In 1985 RTC entered with IGN a so called Reversion and Reservation Agreement which regulated the rights and obligations with regards to the Scientology and Dianetics trademarks of the secular organizations IGN and World Institute of Scientology Enterprises Inc WISE Inc a dormant Delaware corporation 35 Control of other corporations editAt the time of RTC s filing for tax exemption RTC controlled four other corporations 17 Inspector General Network IGN IGN has served as legal representative for RTC and secular registered owner of RTC s trade and service marks in countries where contracts by religious corporations are not enforced All corporate positions of IGN were held by members of RTC WISE Inc At the time of Scientology s application for tax exemption WISE Inc has been a dormant corporation from Delaware It had the same functions as IGN prior to IGN s incorporation in 1985 RTC AustraliaRTC Australia was incorporated in 1986 as a regional office for RTC in Australia It is a dormant corporation and has obtained tax exempt status Inspector General Network International AB IGN IntIGN was incorporated in 1992 in Sweden The organization was founded to register Scientology s trade and service marks as a nominee for RTC in countries such as Libya or Iran that do not recognize and will not do business with any United States entity Organizational structure and management editRTC stands hierarchically at the top of the Church of Scientology network It has regulatory corporate and ecclesiastical power over the policy and activities of all other Scientology management units corporations churches missions and other organizations with the only exception being the Church of Spiritual Technology The position of RTC is notably visible in a drawing titled The Command Channels of Scientology which the Church of Scientology International CSI and RTC provided to the IRS in their application for tax exempt status The Church of Spiritual Technology has not been included in this application 36 In its application for tax exemption RTC described the internal structure of the organization as follows 17 RTC s daily activities are carried out by a staff of 54 highly trained individuals who function in their positions within the overall ecclesiastical hierarchy of the Scientology religion Through receipt of reports and direct inspections RTC ensures that those utilizing the marks are ministering orthodox Scientology religious services The senior ecclesiastical position in RTC is held by David Miscavige who continues to serve as Chairman of the Board RTC and also as Inspector General There are also several Deputy Inspector Generals who assist in the performance of RTC sreligious functions There is a Deputy Inspector General who functions as Chairman of the Board RTC s second in command and sees to the day to day functioning of the organization There is a Deputy Inspector General who oversees internal matters in RTCand another who is in charge of RTC s religious programs The religious mission of RTC protecting the orthodoxy of the technologies of Dianetics and Scientology is carried out by two ecclesiastical divisions within RTC as described below There is now one Inspectorate division which consists of four departments The Department of Data receives reports and collects information from other organizations and Scientologists and collates analyzes and distributes the information to all other departments that require it The Department of Trademark Registration Maintenance and Enforcement gets the religious marks of Dianetics and Scientology legally registered and sees to it that all users of the marks are properly licensed It also investigates and where necessary prosecutes legal infringements of the marks The Department of Technical Policing inspects application of the Scientology Scriptures pertaining to the ministry of religious services by licensees and corrects misapplication where it is found The Department of Organization Policing inspects the application of Scientology Scriptures as it pertains to governance of the ecclesiastical hierarchy and corrects misapplication where it is found Authorization Verification and Correction International AVC INT is a division within RTC which is responsible for authorizing and verifying that the ecclesiastical programs evaluations strategies promotional materials and issues as authored by CSI are in accordance with Scripture As previously mentioned RTC is currently led by the chairman of the board of directors David Miscavige who has held this position since 1987 Miscavige has been in leading positions within the Scientology management since the early 1980s Prior to being in his current position Miscavige had been a member of the Commodore s Messenger Organization and had been instrumental in the internal purge of the Guardian s Office the former intelligence service and legal defense unit of the Scientology network In 1982 he became the chief executive officer and later the chairman of the board of the for profit corporation Author Services Inc ASI Miscavige stayed on this position until 1987 37 About the role and the position of the RTC within the structure of the Scientology network David Miscavige declared in 1994 38 Since March of 1987 I have been Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center RTC is not part of Church management nor is it involved in the daily affairs of various Church of Scientology organizations or missions RTC ensures that the trademarks of Dianetics and Scientology and the technology they represent are properly used around the world 8 RTC was formed with the specific purpose of seeing that the religion of Scientology was kept pure and true to the source materials of the religion In fact a major reason for its formation was to have such a Church organization that performed these functions in a capacity entirely separate from the actual management of the various Churches and Missions of Scientology Not only is RTC not involved in the management of the international hierarchy of Scientology churches but its very existence and performance of its true functions depends on the fact that it is not part of Church management The authority of the Religious Technology Center stems from the ownership of the trademarks of Dianetics and Scientology 11 Neither RTC nor I has any corporate authority over any Scientology church including CSI CSI is the Mother Church of the Scientology religion and has been since its inception in 1981 As such CSI is responsible for the activities commensurate with such a role including the ecclesiastical management of Churches dissemination and propagation of the faith and defense of its activities including external and legal affairs Such representations stand in stark contrast to declarations of high level ex scientologists who have worked in the Scientology management Former CSI security officer Andre Tabayoyon and former RTC second in command Jesse Prince have stated in affidavits and declarations that RTC and its chairman David Miscavige maintain de facto control of the entire Scientology network including the Church of Scientology International 39 Within that context Andre Tabayoyon stated in a 1994 declaration the following about Miscavige s exertion of power as Chairman of the Board and ultimate head of the global Scientology network 40 59 I have personal knowledge that Miscavige issues oral and written orders and instructions to Scientologists irrespective of either ecclesiastical lines of authority or corporate lines of is authority or demarcation Miscavige uses this omnipotent authority to exercise personal control over any and all Scientology organizations whenever he elects to do so I observed that in running the various Scientology organizations Miscavige constantly crosses all corporate and ecclesiastical command lines without regard to the fact that there are numerous Scientology related corporations of which he is neither an employee officer nor director He does not have to be to control any Scientology organization He is above all Scientology organizations as the ecclesiastical head of Scientology COB RTC and Commander of the Sea Org In this capacity Miscavige acts as the managing agent of each Scientology organization 61 I personally observed Miscavige take over this position of ultimate power over all of Scientology after Hubbard died I observed Miscavige when he was COB RTC ordering into Golden Era Studios Gold a CSI division and ordering into the Commodore s Messenger Organization International CMO Int another CSI division planetary dissemination organization etc Both of these Sea Org units are corporately part of CSI RTC CMO Int and Gold are all located at a large compound north of Hemet California called Gilman Hot Springs It is called Gold As I learned the Scientology corporate structure was only for the benefit of the outside wog world It didn t have any bearing on how Scientology operated 62 When Hubbard was alive it was common knowledge and I also observed it personally that he was in direct control via Miscavige and Pat Broeker of CMO Int and Gold and the rest of Scientology After Hubbard died Miscavige ousted Pat Broeker and Vicki Aznaran who were then in control of Scientology After that it was my experience that Miscavige had complete control over Scientology just as Hubbard had when he was alive Miscavige took over Hubbard s place as managing agent of all Scientology organizations Mark Marty Rathbun David Miscavige and Warren McShane Deputy Inspector General for Legal Affairs formed for several years the above mentioned Board of Directors RTC 41 As of March 2008 all references to both Rathbun and McShane have disappeared from the RTC website and their names or pictures have also been removed from other official Scientology websites Though Miscavige is still listed as chairman of the board no other board members are acknowledged 42 Within the executive branch of RTC existed at least until 2001 the position of Inspector General RTC which had been held by Mark Rathbun This network spanned from RTC headquarters in Gilman Hot Springs California to all of the Advanced Organizations in Los Angeles Clearwater East Grinstead Copenhagen and Sidney where RTC has maintained offices 41 In an internal newsletter Keeping Scientology Working RTC stated the following about the purpose and duties of the Inspector General Network 43 These Deputy Inspector Generals head the entire IG Network which locates and handles internal and external infiltration and suppression legally protects and safeguards the trademarks and technology of the religion of Scientology and sees that management orgs and missions and their application of tech and policy remain standard and true to LRH s writings While RTC has a dominant role over the mother church CSI and its subordinate organizations the relationship to the Church of Spiritual Technology CST is unclear While the above mentioned assignment agreement with L Ron Hubbard on May 10 1982 granted CST corporative authority over RTC with respect to Scientology s trademarks and service marks there is no sign that CST ever executed any internal ecclesiastical authority over RTC In fact the U S Claims Court noted in its opinion in a tax case which involved CST in 1992 44 CST claims that it does not and will not monitor RTC s use of the religious marks and technology CST explains that there is no need to do so because any unorthodox use would be immediately obvious Regardless of how it arrived at the conclusion however the point is that one of its obligations is to prevent misuse of the marks and technology CST s present confidence in RTC has no significance If CST ignored that element of its charter one of the assumptions built into LRH s gift would be missing Monitoring for a misuse by RTC is a form of ongoing oversight The decision to exercise the option is an ecclesiastical one which would not be readily susceptible to judicial review Litigation editSince its inception in 1982 RTC has been involved in various lawsuits in both state and federal courts The majority of the cases initiated by RTC contend unauthorized use of Scientology s copyrights service marks or trademarks Critics of Scientology contend that a great number of these lawsuits have been launched in order to silence critics 45 The courts have agreed in some cases in RTC v Lerma Judge Leonie Brinkema found that the RTC s lawsuit was intended to pursue the broader motivation of the stifling of criticism and dissent of the religious practices of Scientology and the destruction of its opponents 46 The RTC filed a lawsuit on January 1 1985 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against Robin Scott and the Church of New Civilization not to be confused with the New Civilization Church a Scientology splinter group alleging theft and unauthorized use of confidential material owned by RTC The case took over a decade to resolve and was dismissed on April 11 1996 by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit In its final opinion the court summarized the history of the case and commented on the conduct of RTC while the case was litigated 47 In January 1985 RTC sued Mayo and other persons connected with the Church of the New Civilization a splinter group of the official Church of Scientology contending that they were making unauthorized use of stolen documents relating to the religion of Scientology RTC stated that it was the protector of the religion of Scientology its philosophy and its technology including the Advanced Technology consisting of confidential and proprietary information regarding counseling and training and was the owner of various trademarks registered with the U S Patent and Trademark Office protecting the Advanced Technology After 1 825 docket entries and nine years of pretrial litigation involving three discovery magistrates a special master the recusal of two district court judges the denial of five petitions for writ of mandamus three appeals and three denials of certiorari by the Supreme Court the third district judge entered Final Judgment T here is little doubt that RTC is playing fast and loose with the judicial system as required in the minority view of estoppel To first assert that its unfair competition and false designation of origin claims are justiciable and at the same time assert that Mayo s identical claims are not is at best questionable in light of RTC s documented history of vexatious behavior RTC s actions are indefensible Knowledge reports editThe RTC maintains a task force called the Inspector General Network an investigatory body which operates from seven offices on four different continents 48 The IGN s stated function is to keep Scientology working by ensuring the pure and ethical use of Dianetics and Scientology technology 49 RTC like the Church of Scientology encourages the use of Knowledge Reports KR from anyone inside or outside of the Church to report on potential misuse of the Standard Tech and copyrighted trademarked materials They maintain an online form in which anyone is encouraged to report any such matters that may be of concern 50 The use of reports is one system used by RTC to police the use of Scientology materials and the application See also editAuthor Services Inc Church of Spiritual Technology Sea Org List of Scientology organizations Norton S Karno an attorney for the Church of Scientology and for L Ron Hubbard Religious Technology Center v Netcom On Line Communication Services Inc Religious Technology Center v LermaReferences edit a b Rosenoer Jonathan 1997 Cyberlaw the law of the Internet Springer p 62 ISBN 978 0 387 94832 4 OL 7448604M Religious Technology Center and Bridge Publications Inc California non profit corporations are owners of rights to published and unpublished works of L Ron Hubbard founder of the Scientology religion a b Letter by the Internal Revenue Service to Flemming Paludan Regional Director Danish Tax Office Washington D C USA December 22 1993 Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder County Clerk as an example Archived 2007 06 28 at the Wayback Machine under HUBBARD L RON LIBRARY Notice for Materials Copyrighted to Church of Scientology International Section of RTC Website Archived 2006 04 30 at the Wayback Machine Lewis James R 2004 Controversial New Religions Oxford University Press p 247 ISBN 0 19 515683 8 Summary Description of Churches of Scientology RTC CSI CSFSSO CSFSO Other Churches Missions Field Ministers CSI Prod 11 4 93 Bate Stamp 151396 151398 Ex 1 3 Washington DC 1993 Scientology faces ban in Belgium AFP news com au December 12 2015 Retrieved March 26 2017 Roux Eric July 21 2016 Scientology In Gallagher Eugene V ed Cult Wars in Historical Perspective New and Minority Religions Routledge ISBN 978 1472458124 Articles of Incorporation of Religious Technology Center Endorsed Filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of California Los Angeles California January 1 1982 Restated Articles of Incorporation of Religious Technology Center Bate Stamp A 253931 Los Angeles California June 15th amp September 13th 1982 Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation Religious Technology Center Los Angeles California April 8th May 13th amp 14th 1986 Response to Second Series of Questions Church of Scientology International Correspondence with Internal Revenue Service Exhibit for Application for Tax Exempt Status 501 c 3 June 29th 1992 List of Trustees Directors amp Officers of Church of Scientology Entities Ex I 2 CSI Prod 11 4 93 Bate Stamp 151380 151395 Los Angeles California September 21st 1993 Statement by Domestic Nonprofit Corporation Religious Technology Center Secretary of State State of California Filed Sacramento California February 9th 2001 Entry for Religious Technology Center California Business Portal of the Secretary of the State of California March 22 2008 Archived March 3 2016 at the Wayback Machine a b c Form 1023 Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501 c 3 of the Internal Revenue Code Religious Technology Center Washington DC August 19th 1993 The Truth Rundown a three part series by Thomas C Tobin and Joe Childs St Petersburg Times Part 1 Scientology The Truth Rundown June 21 2009 Archived from the original on February 9 2013 The Truth Rundown Part 2 Death in slow motion June 22 2009 Archived from the original on October 24 2019 The Truth Rundown Part 3 Ecclesiastical justice June 23 2009 Archived from the original on August 9 2009 Copyright and trademark notice of the book Dianetics by L Ron Hubbard Los Angeles California c 1950 2000 ISBN 0 88404 632 X a b License Agreement CSI Marks License Agreement between Religious Technology Center and Church of Scientology International California May 18th 1982 Assignment Agreement LRH RTC Marks Notarized Agreement between L Ron Hubbard and the Religious Technology Center County of Los Angeles California May 16th 1982 Option Agreement Marks Notarized Agreement between L Ron Hubbard and the Church of Spiritual Technology County of Los Angeles California May 10th 1982 July 9th 1982 Option Agreement Advanced Technology U S Notarized Agreement between L Ron Hubbard and the Church of Spiritual Technology California May 10th amp July 9th 1982 Metz Cade April 8 2008 Scientology threatens Wikileaks with injunction The Register Retrieved March 18 2019 Assignment Agreement LRH RTC Advanced Technology US Notarized Agreement between L Ron Hubbard and the Religious Technology Center Los Angeles California May 10th amp 16th 1982 Religious Technology Center Analysis of Financial Flows 1989 Exhibit I 9 for Application for Tax Exempt Status 501 c 3 Bate Stamp CSI Prod 11 4 93 151414 Organizational Covenant Advanced Technology US Covenant between Church of Scientology International amp Religious Technology Center Location probably Los Angeles California January 1st 1982 Organizational Covenant Advanced Technology US Covenant between the Church of Scientology Western United States amp Religious Technology Center Location probably Los Angeles California May 23rd 1985 Organizational Covenant Advanced Technology US Covenant between Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization amp Religious Technology Center Location probably Clearwater Florida January 1st 1982 License Agreement RTC Licensee License Agreement between Religious Technology Center and Church of Scientology Flag Ship Service Organization Netherlands Antilles June 2nd 1988 Advanced Technology Covenant RTC RECI Covenant between Religious Technology Center amp Church of Scientology Religious Education College Inc East Grinstead England November 18th amp December 1st 1988 Advanced Technology Covenant RTC Church of Scientology Australia Covenant between Religious Technology Center amp Church of Scientology Inc Sydney Australia December 24th 1988 amp March 16th 1989 Example Covenant Advanced Technology Covenant RTC AOSH Covenant between the Church of Scientology Advanced Organization Saint Hill Europe amp Africa amp Religious Technology Center Copenhagen Denmark December 1st 1988 November 25th amp December 14th 1989 Notarized Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation Inspector General Network Endorsed Filed in the Office of the Secretary of State in the State of California CSI Prod November 22 1993 Bate Stamp 237255 Los Angeles California June 7th 1985 Reversion and Reservation Agreement between Religious Technology Center and Inspector General Network a California non profit public benefit corporation Los Angeles California June 17th amp 18th 1985 The Command Channels of Scientology Sketch depicting the hierarchical structure of the network of the Church of Scientology the drawing was provided by CSI to the IRS in their application for tax exempt status in September 1993 Tobin Thomas C October 25 1998 The Man Behind Scientology St Petersburg Times Archived from the original on November 12 1999 Archive page 2 page 3 page 4 Declaration of David Miscavige Church of Scientology International vs Steven Fishman amp Uwe Geertz Case No CV 91 6426 HLH Tx U S District Court for the Central District of California Riverside County February 8th 1994 Affidavit of Jesse Prince Archived 2004 11 01 at the Wayback Machine United States District Court Central District of California San Jose Division case no C 95 20091 RMW EAI Declaration of Andre Tabayoyon from April 4 1994 Church of Scientology International Case No CV 91 6426 HLH Tx U S District Court for the Central District of California Archived September 26 2007 at the Wayback Machine a b Religious Technology Center Board of Directors c 1999 2001 Religious Technology Center http www rtc org board David Miscavige Official website of Religious Technology Center c 1996 2008 Religious Technology Center Keeping Scientology Working Caption of photo depicting the staff of the RTC IG Network page 4 c 1995 Church of Scientology International Opinion Church of Spiritual Technology vs United States No 581 88T United Claims Court June 29 1992 Church in Cyberspace Marc Fisher Washington Post August 19 1995 BU s Scientology Connection Part 1 Archived from the original on May 17 2008 Retrieved September 14 2008 Unpublished Opinion from April 11 1996 Religious Technology Center et al vs Robin Scott et al 82 F 3d 423 1996 WL 171443 United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Religious Technology Center the Inspector General Network Archived from the original on April 30 2006 Retrieved April 17 2006 Religious Technology Center Matters of RTC Concern Archived from the original on October 22 2006 Retrieved October 22 2006 Religious Technology Center David Miscavige Chairman Report a Trademark Policy or Practice Violation Further reading editRosenoer Jonathan November 7 1996 Cyberlaw the Law of the Internet Springer pp 62 88 ISBN 978 0 387 94832 4 OL 7448604M External links editScientology sources Official website of the Religious Technology Center Chairman of the Board RTC Scientology FAQs What is Religious Technology Center A Description of the Religious Technology Center RTC Critical sources Jesse Prince articles Jesse Prince affidavit David Mayo affidavitMagazine articles Inside Scientology by Janet Reitman Rolling Stone Magazine February 23 2006 Scientology from inside out by Robert Vaughn Young Quill magazine Volume 81 Number 9 Nov Dec 1993 Location of Gold Base Satellite photograph of Gold base Gilman Hot Springs California Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Religious Technology Center amp oldid 1187898003, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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