A Question About the Watchtower Corporations

by Infowarrior 7 Replies latest watchtower scandals

• 

  Infowarrior

  We know that the Watchtower has many corporations.

  Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in Pennsylvania - 1881

  Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania - December 15, 1884

  International Bible Students Association, which was founded in 1872 in Pittsburgh by Charles Taze Russell.
  
  My question is about the International Bible Students Assocation. Many of the books and literature and video tapes produced by the society has the name International Bible Students listed. This includes not just early publications, but even the New World Translation, and the Blood Video produced in 2001 (or around thier). It seems that literature produced by the Watchtower very rarely contains the name of International Bible Students, but it does seem to be still used by the Watchtower.

  Also the copyright of all the Watchtower publications belongs to the Watchtower of PA corporation. If the WT of PA and IBSA are still being used by the Watchtower; and they hold the copyright to all of the Watchtower publications including early ones written by Russell, why are they allowing the breakaway Russellite Bible Students to use and sell thier books ? (even if they are printed by new companies); Under corporate law, wouldn't the modern Russellite Bible Students face copyright infringment against the Watchtower PA and IBSA corporations? And if not, does that mean that the Watchtower corporations are giving the modern Russellite Bible Students permission to use their books ? I understand that the Watchtower has long seperated itself from the modern breakaway Russelite Bible Students.. so why do they allow them to freely use thier copyright material ? Perhaps they just do not want to cause them a problem ? However more and more, they are trying to break ties from the breakaway Bible Students. Would it be crazy of me to think that maybe the Watchtower is not really against the modern breakaway Bible Students afterall.... ?
• 

  MC RubberMallet

  Would it be crazy of me to think that maybe the Watchtower is not really against the modern breakaway Bible Students afterall.... ?

  I'm not sure if you have in your possession, but the names of and differences in corporations are in OD book. They serve different purposes. One name is used by writing dept., one's a name for researching, one is the name of the org (instead of Jehovah's Witnesses) as used in other countries for legal reasons, etc...
• 

  Phizzy

  As to Copyright, I would think that had run out on all the early stuff, and anyone can publish it ? unless the law is different in the U.S ??

  They have many many Corporations around the World, many of them registered as charities, taking the Tax advantage under false pretences in my opinion.

  A thorough investigation of all of these Businesses would open a real can of worms I am sure, but Governments are not bothered about a footling little cult, even if they do evade paying some Tax, bigger Corporations fiddle even more.

  As discussed on a recent thread, they are without doubt first of all a breakaway from the Adventist movement in Russells time. In Rutherfords time it is less clear, and up to you how you interpret events, when he ,Rutherford forcibly took control of the WT many of the loyal Bible Students stayed, hoping that "The Lord" would sort out this evil at the top, some left, eventually in the early to mid -twenties many more left, I think the 1925 false prophecy may have been the final straw for some.

  I am sure that those Bible Students feel that Rutherford left the real faith to form his own empire, that really he left them.

  Much as many XJW's feel, that the WT is now nothing like the religion they were born in to or joined many years ago, thay have not left it, it has left them, and as it walked off, as is common with cults, it shot its wounded.
• 

  Aussie Oz

  wouldn't mind betting there are dozens of corporations under the watchtower banner that use different names too...

  oz
• 

  Jeffro

  so why do they allow them to freely use thier copyright material ?

  Copyright has expired on the early materials.
• 

  blondie

  Copyrights can be renewed.
• 

  JWB

  THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (IBSA)
  
  Registered Company Number: 136726
  Registered Charity Number: 216647
  
  Web Link for Charity Details
  
  www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=216647&SubsidiaryNumber=0
  
  Web Link for 2011 Accounts Report
  
  www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends47/0000216647_ac_20110831_e_c.pdf
  
  Extracts from the International Bible Students Association Financial Report August 2010
  
  "The charity was incorporated on 30th June 1914 and is governed by the Memorandum and Articles of Association of that date as amended by special resolutions on 20th April 1951, 10th January 1958, 28th November 2005 and 4th January 2006."
  
  "Charities with similar objects exist in many countries around the world. Co-ordination is through the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, located at their headquarters in the United States."
  
  "The Association works closely with Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Britain (Watch Tower). It provides volunteers for Watch Tower to use in its activities. It permits Watch Tower to use its facilities for Watch Tower's charitable work and provides accommodation for the volunteers. A service and maintenance charge is made which includes the cost of the volunteers. The Association purchases religious material from Watch Tower and donates this to congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses."
  
  "The object of the Association is to promote the Christian religion by supporting congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses and others in connection with their spiritual and material welfare in Britain and abroad within the charitable purposes of the Association."
  
  "Our grant making policy is as follows. From time to time we are asked by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses to consider helping Jehovah's Witnesses in countries where a need exists. We first consider whether the budget permits. If this is the case we satisfy ourselves that the expenditure will further the religious work of Jehovah's Witnesses and we then send the money to the organisation caring for Jehovah's Witnesses in that country. Finally, we obtain reports to confirm the money was properly used."
  
  "We had adequate funds to be able to respond to all of the requests received from the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, in connection with lands where the economy is poor. The total was £1,010,000."
  
  "Because of the consistent support we enjoy from congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses, we do not engage in fundraising activities as such. We include a reminder about methods of donating, either in our monthly letter of thanks to congregations, or in our internal newsletter prior to the annual conventions. We find this to be adequate. It is good to see that in spite of the recession, voluntary income increased again. To fund the property developments described elsewhere in this report, we sought and received grants provided by Jehovah's Witnesses in other countries. We do make an "at-cost" charge to Watch Tower for giving them office, printery, warehouse and domestic accommodation."
  
  "The Association has cash of approximately £2.7 million. The Association has a reliable donation base, being primarily the 1,543 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in the UK. Hence, we can plan confidently with relatively small reserves, having in mind that we charge Watch Tower for the cost of running the HQ complex and we respond to the needs for funds overseas only after filling our domestic requirements. Our established policy is to ensure that we have on hand in liquid funds at least two months' working expenditure. At the year end, liquid assets on hand equate to 2.3 months of expenditure (2009: 4.4 months)."
  
  "The charity is funded by donations and legacies. Also, grants are received from Jehovah's Witnesses in other countries. £12.2 million was received by way of grants, through a charity in Germany, Jehovas Zeugen in Deutschland. Also payments from Watch Tower cover the cost of operating the headquarters complex."
• 

  ziddina

  Hey, InfoWarrior!

  Welcome to the board...