Jehovah?s Witnesses are "Glorified" for Unauthorized Reproductions!
To Whom It May Concern:
The Watchtower Bible And Tract Society have retained the legal services of (W. Glen How & Associates, Barrister And Solicitors), as to unauthorized reproductions, or copyright infringement violations.
I find this legal action to be quite hypocritical in view of the many times that (Jehovah?s Witnesses) themselves, have been caught violating this same copyright law.
What is even more distressing, is the fact that the Watchtower Society has actually "Glorified" their members for copyright infringements, while threatening others for the same act.
In fact, the Watchtower Society itself admits to (taking quotations), from literature published by others and does (not) mention whether they have obtained the legal permission to do so.
The 1953 Watchtower September 1 st pages 531-532 states, quote: "But we are glad we are not a member of that National Council. We do not criticize the Council for producing a new and modern version of the Bible. That is a commendable effort and work, and (WE EXPECT TO FIND IT USEFUL, MAKING QUOTATIONS OUT OF IT FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE WATCHTOWER PUBLICATIONS)."
Does this mean that the Watchtower receives the (legal) permission from those organizations for which it claims are of (Satan?s) world, each and every time they themselves rip quotations from these other publications?
Is the Watchtower in communication with the (evil slave class), every other day of the week to receive this legal permission, so that they can use and (COPY), from the organizations of the world?
If the Watchtower admits to (copying) quotations from Satan?s organizations, then wouldn?t this one (bad fruit) contaminate the whole lump of spiritual food?
Reviewing my Watchtower 2003 library CD and after typing in the words: (Watchtower Copying), into the search locator, I was able to find a few articles that bore witness to this fact.
The 1980 Yearbook pages 95-96, described experiences of Jehovah?s Witnesses when under ban (copied) Watchtower literature and distributed it. This (copying) was done when communication with the Watchtower Society was (perilous). So, Jehovah?s Witnesses could NOT have just walked to the nearest telephone booth, and called the headquarters of the Watchtower to get the "legal" permission by word of mouth, written, or otherwise. The Yearbook states, quote:
"Then (copies) were taken to the brothers in the provinces. Brother Samuel Nongaillard tells how the magazine was (smuggled) into northern France: "Whenever possible, a brother from Paris would take a train as far as the town of Peronne, through which the demarcation line between two German zones passed. Another brother would travel down to this town from the north and the magazine would be passed from one to the other on the platform of the Peronne station. Naturally, with paper supplies limited (and means of communication so perilous), it was not possible to mimeograph and send out a (copy) of The Watchtower for each publisher. The brothers who acted as couriers, at the risk of their lives, could hide only (one or two copies) on their persons. This meant that when one (copy) of a Watchtower article reached a certain area, (A LOT OF COPYING) was done so that each small group of publishers had at least one (copy) containing the vital spiritual food. Sister Dina Fenouil, who then lived in the Lyons area explains: "I was assigned to (TYPE 10 COPIES) of the Watchtower. I was able to (TYPE FIVE COPIES) at a time."
The above listed article not only "Glorifies" Jehovah?s Witnesses for (copying) Watchtower literature, but also (glorifies) them for (smuggling) practices as well.
Yet we see no (Cease and Desist) letters being sent out to Jehovah?s Witnesses for violating the law of the land and committing felonies!
In another article published in the (Awake 1976/May/22nd/page-29), the Watchtower Society praises Jehovah?s Witnesses for their unwavering faith, and (Glorified), their firm stand by describing the article as: "No Compromise." This article states, quote: "How is religion currently in Communist Russia? "The Russian Orthodox Church and the All-Union Council of Baptists function obediently under state scrutiny," reported the New York Times of March 1, 1976. "But unapproved sects like the Jehovah?s Witnesses, have been harassed for refusing to submit on issues like conscientious objection to military service. Last month, the official press in Byelorussia reported prison sentences for several Jehovah?s Witnesses found guilty of (COPYING ARTICLES), from the Western publication Watchtower and maintaining (secret chapels)."
Here again, Jehovah?s Witnesses are "Glorified for (copying) Watchtower literature, and holding (secret) meetings, with the Watchtower?s richest blessing for doing so. This (copying) of the Watchtower literature, was obviously done (without) any communication with Watchtower headquarters, because there would have been no need for there to have been (secret) meetings, if the meetings or literature were not banned.
The Watchtower 1942 January 1 st page 5 states, quote: "Those who are convinced that the "Watch Tower" is publishing the opinion of a (man) should not waste time looking at it at all. Those who believe that (GOD) uses " The Watch Tower" as a means of communicating to his people, or of calling their attention to his prophecies, should study "The Watch Tower" with thankfulness of heart."
If the "Watch Tower" is truly "God?s" word, then there would be (NO) reason for any concern for copying it and distributing it throughout the world. Isn?t that what God wanted for his word? Do we see God sending down any (Cease and Desist) warning letters to anyone for copying and distributing it?
Isn? the Watchtower Society actually admitting that the information contained in the Watchtower magazines is actually from (MEN) who feel that they indeed (OWN) every word contained in it, and therefore this is why they threaten others for using (THEIR) material and (NOT) God?s?
Isn? this practice of sending out (Cease and Desist) letters in direct (CONTRAST) to what God wanted for his word to be accomplished throughout the world? Would this not be seen as going (against) God and the purpose for his word?
When checking on some of the auctions on eBay, I have also noticed that there are (several) CDs and Watchtower Books, being (copied) and reproduced by several individuals or companies. Are (ALL) of these companies receiving (Cease and Desist), warning letters threatening their web-sites?
I happen to have a copy of the CD called: (Great Pyramid by Piazzi Smith Watchtower CD 31 Books), and this CD contains a (COPY) of the entire book called, "The New World" and this seller has nothing to do with (Quotes) web-site. This (Pyramid) CD, can be seen on eBay on a weekly basis.
Another version of that same CD that is currently being sold on eBay contains the entire books called: "From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained" 1958 and "Make Sure Of All Things 1953" of which were also published by the Watchtower Society.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4520138293
So are (Cease and Desist) warning letters being sent out to these other companies as well?
One article that did catch my attention was written in the (Kingdom Ministry September 2002 page 8 under the heading: "Internet Web-sites"), which states, quote: "We have an official Internet Web site:
www.watchtower.org.
This site is adequate to make information available to the public. There is no need for any individual, committee, or congregation to prepare a Web page about Jehovah?s Witnesses. Some have posted the (contents) of our publications with all scriptures and references given in full and have even offered (COPIES) of convention material on a (DONATION) basis. Whether profit is involved or not, the practice of (REPRODUCING AND DISTRIBUTING) publications of Jehovah?s Witnesses in an electronic document is a violation of copyright laws. While some may view this as a service to the brothers, it is not approved and should be discontinued."
Now before, we read and noticed that Jehovah?s Witnesses were (GLORIFIED) for copying and distributing Watchtower literature, and yet in this quote, we see a (warning) even to Jehovah?s Witnesses themselves for copyright violations.
So why the different tone? It is clear to see that when the word (DONATION) is involved, then the Watchtower changes its tune real fast. For the Watchtower Society to warn their own members against this copyright violation, means that (MONEY) was being passed around without the Watchtower being able to get its grubby little hands on it, and this just could not stand as far as the Watchtower was concerned.
Isn?t this the real reason for the (Cease and Desist)? Isn?t the Watchtower really showing the whole world what really counts to them? If some of the web-sites who are out there reproducing Watchtower literature were doing this for (free), then the Watchtower would probably care less. But when they see that (money) is going to some other place besides their own bank accounts, then that?s when they really get angry and start to crack down. Even if it means cracking down on their own members. Because after all, the Kingdom Ministry is distributed only to those in the congregation.
Then the Watchtower has the audacity to claim that they are (NO THREAT) to anyone. The "Awake 1997 March 22 nd page 16 states, quote: "It is widely known that Jehovah?s Witnesses obey the governmental "superior authorities" in all matters that do not conflict with God?s Word. (Romans 13: 1, 7) In (NO WAY) do they constitute (A THREAT TO PUBLIC ORDER)."
In (NO WAY) do they constitute a threat? I beg to differ. And discrimination by allowing some to get away with (copying) Watchtower literature, while others are sent threatening letters, by which could harm the welfare of their families income, is also a factor that is to be taken note of.
The Watchtower Society may win a legal battle, but will they win the (SPIRITUAL) one? Isn?t that the battle that is more important? Isn?t that the battle that will count the most with God?
I think so!
More power to you "Quotes" and never forget that we are here to help in any way that we can. The Watchtower has a habit of separating people from their loved ones, but its people like you "Quotes" that needs to remember, that you have brought a whole lot of people back together. Your hard work has helped to open the eyes of many, therefore freeing them from Totalitarian Dictatorships like the Watchtower Society. You have won the spiritual battle in our hearts and minds, and that is something the Watchtower can?t take away from any of us.
Sorry Mr. Watchtower?But NO Cigar!
