Scientology Takes to the fight eBay

The Church of Scientology relies on the intellectual property clauses on eBay’s terms of service to end auctions related to Scientology

Recently, the Church of Scientology sparked massive public outcry when it sued YouTube lowering embarrassing scenes of an apparently hysterical Tom Cruise talking about Scientology.

Following the order, the church inadvertently triggered anonymous hordes of dissidents. The group organized massive protests around the world, with supporters wearing masks, including masks Guy Fawkes (as popularized in the movie V for Vendetta Is). Protests were held on February 10, to commemorate the anniversary of Lisa McPherson’s mysterious death in 1995, which some claim was the result of an assassination plot carefully executed by the Church of Scientology. Scientology church officials denounced the group as “pathetic” and “cyber-terrorists”.

While the Church of Scientology continues in its fight against dissentious freedom of expression by launching lawsuits against the news agencies and Internet sites, has now found an attractive new target: curb the sale of Scientology related with the goods through clever use of copyright litigation, and trademark lawsuits takedowns.

Current Scientologists are discouraged from communicating with former members. Former members who purchased expensive Scientologist videos and books are unable to sell back to the church or existing members. Many have resorted to the ubiquitous single window to buy or sell anything: eBay.

Scientology officials caught up in this trend and launched a campaign of takedowns using eBay Verified Rights Owner (VeRO). The system enables companies and organizations to files that are owners of intellectual property rights. Groups can apply for any items that are in violation of property rights should be taken down, request complying with eBay quickly. The Church of Scientology filed anything with their symbols, including its literature and devices e-Meter.

An example of auction and image capture of the auction can be found here. The auction was quickly removed by eBay and is classified as “invalid”.

Copyright law makes no provision for the prohibition of the sale of patented items, except for the provisions of counterfeiting. E-Meters removed by eBay including serial numbers valid signs of legitimate products. As a condition for VeRO eBay, the petitioners must swear under threat of perjury that they have “good faith” in an ad violates its intellectual property rights.