This page was nominated for deletion on 2014 January 6. The result of the discussion was keep (Note that was about a previous redirect to a different church, but the redirect was just now replaced by a new article.--doncram, December 29, 2014). |
This article was nominated for deletion on 26 December 2010 (UTC). The result of the discussion was The result was redirect to Creativity (religion). (Note: that was just superseded by creation of article using AFC, on Church of the Creator --doncram, December 29, 2014). |
This article is rated Start-class on Wikipedia's
content assessment scale. It is of interest to the following WikiProjects: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Article has been tagged as possible COI and reading as a "news release." Latest updates simply reference the results of on-going trademark litigation. It is this litigation that helps make the article notable, so they are appropriate as included. The article, itself, was crafted by a long-time, well-respected, Wikipedia contributor and its inclusion has been debated at length, with the decision made that it is suitable as written. Green Irish Eyes ( talk) 23:56, 5 February 2019 (UTC)
See [16]. AndyTheGrump ( talk) 08:20, 25 December 2014 (UTC)
I think one paragraph on the dispute is enough - we don't need paragraphs on the analysis by legal scholars, no do we need a section devoted to previous litigation and choice of law firm. I will delete those paras and that section.-- ukexpat ( talk) 18:15, 29 December 2014 (UTC)
According to academic Steven John Olsen, "generic terms can be combined with other generic or more distinctive terms and the resulting composite term may be viewed in the eyes of the relevant public as distinctive and deserving of trademark protection. This was the situation in Te–Ta–Ma, where the court recognized that “church” alone is generic, but “Church of the Creator” is descriptive. The court reasoned that “Church of the Creator” does not denote the class of monotheistic religions or designate a specific religion for which a denomination belongs, but instead acts as a source identifier to differentiate an individual denomination." [1] [2]
According to David A. Simon, covering religious organizations having confusingly similar marks or names but adhering to opposing ideologies, the "most prominent case in this area is Te-Ta-Ma Truth Foundation Family of URI, Inc. v. World Church of the Creator" (Simon, page 265); he notes that "Religious organizations try to combat the actual-perception problem of truth by using lawsuits to maintain their own identity, and thereby maintain their religious authenticity."(Simon, page 265) He judged that "[t]he court found for the Foundation based on trademark principles, but concerns of authenticity played a role in its decision-making process."(Simon, page 267) [3]
The name dispute litigation is cited in other court cases, e.g. United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit's 2010 decision on "General Conference Corporation of Seventh-Day Adventists v. McGill". [4]
The case is cited elsewhere, e.g. in a New York City attorney's blog on "Can Religious Symbols Be Trademarked?". [5] [6]
Previous litigation and choice of law firm
The Uris had previous experience with law, in 1992 Oregon appeals court case "Te-Ta-Ma Truth Foundation v. Vaughan", which involved James Germain Uri, who was not a lawyer, seeking to represent the corporation, which he was not allowed to do. The case was dismissed based on "dilatoriness" of Te-Ta-Ma in pursuing its claim with proper legal representation. [7] In the later name dispute case, by contrast, the church would use the respected international legal firm Kirkland & Ellis.
Te-Ta-Ma Truth Foundation was in fact specifically noted for having hired an "experienced Chicago law firm" for its trademark case in a 2006 law journal article about attorneys' fees. [8]
References
- ^ Steven John Olsen. "Protecting Religious Identity with American Trademark Law". 12. Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property: 129.
{{ cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
( help)- ^ also
- ^ David A. Simon. "Register Trademarks and Keep the Faith: Trademarks, Religion and Identity" (PDF). IDEA: The Intellectual Property Law Review. 49 (2). (with pages 265-267 exclusively on this case)
- ^ "General Conference Corporation of Seventh-Day Adventists and General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, an Unincorporated Association, Plaintiffs-Appellees, v. Walter McGILL". FindLaw.com case.
- ^ Joseph Gioconda (July 15, 2012). "Can Religious Symbols Be Trademarked?". Gioconda Law.
- ^ "Gioconda Law Group PLLC: Group members".
- ^ Justia Law case report
- ^ Anne M. Mellen (Spring, 2006). "Comment and Casenote: Awarding Attorneys' Fees Under the Lanham Act: Egregious Litigation Conduct in the "Exceptional" Case". University of Cincinnati Law Review. 74: 1111.
{{ cite journal}}
: Check date values in:|date=
( help) (see Lexis-Nexis excerpt)
The following two suggestions were posted to my Talk page, and I am just now copying them here for discussion. In general it is fine and good for anyone to make suggestions on this Talk page, about improvements to the Church of the Creator article. If someone is affliated with the organization, they should review wp:COI, and while they are allowed to edit the article, they are especially encouraged to give suggestions here (and they should be willing to discuss here any edits they make to the article itself). Anyhow, consider:
Doncram. Use of name Church Of The Creator - Addressing here, and clarify understanding in talk section “capitalization” of “URI” and name “TE-TA-MA”. First, unlike Wikipedia process of becoming notable, written by third parties, then referenced using third parties, please understand, the process of “receivership”, a heart process, heavens to earth. The Founder’s experience, process may also be understood as an Epiphany. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_(feeling) That process began in 1969. Church archives contain many hand written pages of the experience, “received” concepts and conceptualizations. Many of those experiences were published by the Foundation, as a book, “Space of Grace” copyright registration# A 928860, December 27, 1977. "Parables in Prose - 33 Poems - Spiritual experiences, shared Expressions from the Heart. An Initiatory Road Map" http://www.wcotc.com/detail.aspx?ID=12
Within the poem “Universal Family” one line reads “This the Church of Our Creator” formalizing many aspects of the “Epiphany” wherein she experience many visitations, tangible materialization of beings, visions, dreams, and other experiences that were encoding understanding, history on a grand scale, and the mission she was being requested to embrace. The name was first written down in 1974, compiled with other material, published 1977, of record. Those are facts relative first use of the name, within the prose.
The names Teave, Tane, Marama, were given, “received” in a similar fashion without research or reference, and published within the poem/prose titled, “MU OUR HOMELAND” Space of Grace, “Myriad Children of The Rainbow You Are Beloved of Thy Parent Thou Art All Colors, Moving In Moving Out, Iridescent Art Thou For Now Is The Recognition That Is Come Into Your Memory, of Whom, You Are and From Whence Thou Came, The Sun, Tane, Thy Beloved Father Marama, The Moon, Thy Gentle Mother Divine In Their Vows To Bring The Children of The Rainbow Home Once Again Recognize Thy Worth Oh Children of The Earth Conceived In The Garden And Allowed By The Love of The One Thine Own Self-Will Restrict Not Thy Vision The True Vastness of Thy Being Stand Tall And Receive The Radiance As Again, A New Nation Comes Forth Re-Instated, To Thy Rightful Place All That Is Asked of Thee, Know Thy-Self Know Who You Are U R I end quote
Hope this brings understanding of how, origins of the Mission "Sacred Mandate" [copyright A 895182 September 19, 1977] of the Foundation, Church Of The Creator was received and anchored. This process is not unique to Grace Marama URI. In science Nikola Tesla is a good example of someone who understood, receivership and was commissioned to anchor the future, only now being better understood. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Tesla. Edgar Cayce http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Cayce, understood accessing, receiving, recording information from other off planet sources, while “asleep”. That offered him protection from practicing medicine without a license. There are many other examples, and science is now finding that the 80% junk DNA, is not junk, encoding within us, including accessing memory, experience, information from our ancestors. Not every human being has been given access. Grace Marama URI, had many user IDs and passwords, for other dimension of her lineage. All Humans are Divine in Origin, Image & Similitude and more and more are recognizing the process. TE-TA-MA, roots are further discussed “trinity TE TA MA links” Michael S. Legions ( talk) 01:27, 15 January 2015 (UTC)
At the official website of the Church of the Creator, there's an image perhaps "COTC_DoveStar_Seal_TM_Design.JPG" which would be good to incorporate into this article. If someone from the church could make it available for use in Wikipedia, by uploading it at commons.wikimedia.org, following instructions there, that would be great. You would not have to put the image into the public domain for it to be used. It is common for corporate logos to be used at articles about the corporations, without loss of their copyright or anything. I am not completely sure on the process for limited usage of copyrighted materials. But if there are questions, volunteers with the Wikipedia confidential email-based service called " wp:OTRS" could assist in arranging uploading and setting the properly restricted permissions.
Also, could someone upload a photo or two of the Church of the Creator's main building(s), to commons.wikimedia.org. That would help illustrate the article, too. -- do ncr am 22:41, 5 January 2015 (UTC)
Church Of The Creator® Dove/Star Seal Logo, was uploaded today. File name: Church_Of_The_Creator®_Logo_Wikipedia_Use©® 01-07-2015_581wx586hpixls.jpg
Descriptive Information associated to Church Of The Creator® Logo is provided below, as an Officer/Director/Co-Founder, placed upon the “talk” table for consideration of those responsible for the expressions of Wikipedia, as a collaborator, not an editor and without expectations as to what is considered relevant to the page/postings. The following is accurate to the best of my ability to track 40 years of service to humanity, within The Foundation. If further clarifications are needed, please let me know. Thank you.
Logo is composed in two parts. First: Trademarked Name and Official Seal as described and defined within: Ecclesia Magna Charta, ARTICLE IV SEAL: “Church Of The Creator® shall have as an Official Seal, a Six Pointed Star Grid, supporting and manifesting the Descending/Ascending Energy of the Holy Spirit Shekinah, Our Divine Mother, represented as a Dove, sustaining through the Holy Breath, this Planet Earth, held within Its Heart and uplifting this Planetary Sphere and Its Systems to their rightful place in the Heavens.” COTC Ecclesia Magna Charta, Organizing Document setting forth purpose, function, governance etc. of Church Of The Creator® © 1984. First published in part 1982, revised, completed, published as printed 18 page booklet, © 1984 with graphics as Appendix I & II.
The graphic COTC Dove/Star Seal was part of the registered copyright, by TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation-Family Of URI, #TX 945-318 COTC Associate Minister Certificate, March 9, 1982, verifiable via USPTO copyright search, copyrights held by TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation-Family Of URI, Inc.
The second component of the Logo is the registered trademark Divine Right Order®, understood to be a Divine Dispensation, issued in 1969, defined, for use by humanity to bring change:
“The Decree Divine Right Order® is a tool of consciousness: an instrument of affirmation which assists in co-creating in the Image and Similitude of The One Parent Creator Source. This vibrational harmonic, WHEN SPOKEN, resonates and sets into motion Cosmic and Divine Law, an automatic alignment to manifestation of Heaven on Earth, Highest Truth and Justice for the WHOLE of Creation; Unified Movement in at-one-ment to the Perfection of the Seed Atom of our Parent Creator; Asking for Divine Wisdom in being the instrument that only the Highest Truth manifest in Love; Divine Right Order® shall allow only Truth to manifest, Justice reign supreme, and Love to bring forth Harmony, Liberty, Freedom and Peace, United in Christ. D I V I N E Dedicated Individuals Viably Interconnecting New Endeavors R I G H T Redemptive Infusion God's Higher Truths O R D E R® Overself Restoration Degeneration Eternally Redeemed Faith can be acting without the consciousness mind understanding or needing proof. Acts of faith come from the heart, from knowing and acting on belief. Understanding of faith as a Divine Principle, can be applied daily and can have direct affect upon our planetary evolution and beyond. The tool of Divine Right Order,® when coupled with faith, move mountains. Cyclical programs, multi-levels of evolution unfolding before and within us need our nurturing and care. Our thoughts, words and deeds count. From the most obvious watering and weeding that must be done in every garden, to the more subtle discernment necessary to nurturing the gardens of consciousness, the weeding of thought forms, the seeding of love through action implanted in daily living, unconditional love and wisdom can be applied to every circumstance of life. Technically, mankind is advancing like a rocket. Satellites, cell phones, global electronic networks, computers based on silicon chips. Transmissions of energy on many frequencies proliferate and permeate our living environment. Sound waves, microwaves, light waves, alpha waves, beta waves, the list is endless and countless. Some energy waves need a fixed media to travel, like a wire, the electrical systems that we depend upon for conveniences in our homes. Some transmissions of energy penetrate and pass through the very structures of what many call reality, the three dimensional atomic structure of molecules and atoms. Lasers and X Rays go through some structures and impact others. When we are listening on a cellular phone, how many broadcasts are we actually receiving? Can thought forms ride on a radio wave? When we are connected on the internet, the world wide web, are we receiving only what is on the screen of our monitor or do we perhaps unperceptively get everything that is connected? Is our complex brain and nerve system which we use so little of and know so little about, affected by the growing complexities of our own creations? When using radio wave technology, it is easy for others to listen without us knowing. Is it just as true that we are unconsciously receiving broadcasts, being affected without knowing it ourselves? Can we really be isolated from the broadcast by turning a switch? How far and how many have and will be affected by the unseen, untasted, unheard, radiations of energy from our creations like Chernobyl? We certainly do not have the answers to all these questions. It would be nice to know, but total understanding isn't necessary to do something constructive. First, we can clean up our own creations and broadcasts of thoughts, words and deeds. Then we can offer up our small effort for who we represent. We all have families. We all have birthdays, let it count for everyone who has that common thread. Let it count for everyone with the same zodiac sign. Let it count for everyone who has a computer, for everyone who uses a word processor, just like we are doing this very moment. Jesus is the example, ONE represents all, everyone gets the benefit of his conscious application of Divine Law. He did it for everyone he represented, and so can you. It is Divine law and principle, however, it must be consciously applied to work. Jesus knew what he was doing. He chose to drink the whole cup. After cleaning up our own act, offering ourselves, our lives for those we represent, what can we do? How do we make our efforts count to the greatest possible good? How do we know from the perspective of our human beingness what needs fixing? Ask to do the job and the circumstances will find you. When you are living daily in this cosmic consciousness of service, you are already united with others in the Christ Body. Your actions no longer have the weight of the one, but carry the impact of the many. The knowledge of what needs fixing isn't necessary. When any part of you has even the slightest doubt, the slightest discernment, that this particular circumstance is tainted with anything other than the Divine Blueprint, affirm Divine Right Order.® This verbal affirmation, when spoken automatically activates change and calls upon those who do know if there is any tampering with your broadcast and receiving systems. From Your Lips To God's Ear Divine Right Order® calls upon our Creator and his many legions of Justice Beings to act in our behalf, to clear out, clean up and make right anything associated to circumstances not in harmony with Divine Law, Divine Will. You may not see the change, it may benefit others. You may face seemingly similar circumstances again, because you can be counted upon to ask for help, to affirm Divine Right Order,® for unknown reasons. That is part of being of service. Some of those who do the most good receive the least direct benefit. Divine Right Order® is your password to a Divine Network, legions of Angelic Host and Cosmic Beings just waiting for us to ask. And when we do, a great housecleaning and accounting takes place on multiple levels, things are placed straight. We only have to do our part in the Earth planes of consciousness. Those broadcasting, hi-tec or otherwise, interfering with humanities desire to live in peace are being held accountable. Your love, your being the representative, your asking and using the tool of Divine Right Order® helps get the job done." Above published on line http://www.churchofthecreator.com/divinerightorder.html and within other printed publications of The Foundation.
Also referenced by EASTERBROOK, Circuit Judge: published by the United States Circuit Court Of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Opinion, July 25, 2002, describing Church Of The Creator® after review of hundreds of pages of documentation, Case No. 02-1381, verifiable by many online references.
“…Church of the Creator (the operating name of TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation—Family of URI, Inc.) believes in universal love and respect. Its Sacred Mandate reads:
CHURCH OF THE CREATOR® Supports the Family Unification of Mankind In All Aspects Of The Whole. We of Like Mind Join Harmoniously In Oneness, Knowing That There Is Only One Creator Source. The Many In One Dedicate Our Physical Embodiments To The God Expression In Form, Bringing Forth By Example To This Planet Earth Love, Light and Peace. Therefore, Once Decreeing DIVINE RIGHT ORDER® In All Thoughts – All Things, Our Universe Automatically Aligns Into Manifestation of Heaven On Earth. Through The Priesthood of Melchizedek We Are One In The Body Of Jesus Christ. As Above So Below.
The Church’s web site http://www.churchofthecreator.com/divinerightorder.html provides additional details, including the text of the Divine Right Order…”
The Sacred Mandate may also be described as the Mission Statement of Church Of The Creator®. Published with further clarifications at: http://www.churchofthecreator.com/sacredmandate.html
If you need my assistance, further references, verifications, please advise.
Please use the Graphic Logo, the above information as wisdom of the heart guides us, to further our common goal of clear communication, cooperation, access for all people to truth. Thank you. Michael S. Legions ( talk) 18:28, 8 January 2015 (UTC)
I don't think this is a big issue, but I am a little confused on the usage of "Uri" vs. "URI", and also about "Te-Ta-Ma" vs. "TE-TA-MA". Right now in the article, by my own editing I guess, there is "Te-Ta-Ma Truth Foundation - Family of Uri Inc." and also "TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation - Family of URI Inc". My bad, maybe. Is the last name of the family "Uri" or "URI"? One usage should probably be adopted throughout the article and its infobox. With possible exception that "incorrect" usage by others, in a title of a court proceeding or in a direct quote, should not be changed. -- do ncr am 18:56, 9 January 2015 (UTC)
Well, I think it would improve the article if we could explain the church's use of the term TE-TA-MA, preferably including links to coverage elsewhere about the three. Are there Wikipedia articles (or should articles be started?) on the trinity of what you mean by the "pre-Polynesian" Teave, Tane, and Marama? I find Category:Polynesian deities. Are there any items within that category or its subcategories that correspond to these three? And, if there is no corresponding article, then we've bumped into an under-developed area of wikipedia maybe, where you could possibly help... -- do ncr am 03:59, 13 January 2015 (UTC)
Hello fellow Wikipedians,
I have just modified one external link on Church of the Creator. Please take a moment to review my edit. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. I made the following changes:
When you have finished reviewing my changes, you may follow the instructions on the template below to fix any issues with the URLs.
This message was posted before February 2018.
After February 2018, "External links modified" talk page sections are no longer generated or monitored by InternetArchiveBot. No special action is required regarding these talk page notices, other than
regular verification using the archive tool instructions below. Editors
have permission to delete these "External links modified" talk page sections if they want to de-clutter talk pages, but see the
RfC before doing mass systematic removals. This message is updated dynamically through the template {{
source check}}
(last update: 5 June 2024).
Cheers.— InternetArchiveBot ( Report bug) 12:03, 7 August 2017 (UTC)
Per my recent tagging:
creffett ( talk) 00:31, 15 July 2019 (UTC)
Some sources and ideas in deleted passages maybe should be restored or replaced in some way. I copy into here (hopefully without garbling too much) the deleted passages and sources, below. User:Seraphimblade, perhaps these can be discussed by comments inserted below each one? My views are not fixed, but I do think some expanded treatment of the notable litigation at least is appropriate (and good sources should exist), and some expanded coverage of the tenets and beliefs of the Church of the Creator maybe should be added (though sources independent of the church itself may be thin, and it may be hard to present this stuff in encyclopedic manner). Maybe readers should be directed more strongly to external links about the latter, I am not sure. -- Doncram ( talk) 18:56, 11 October 2019 (UTC)
Anyhow, deleted passages, sources include:
What was removed is:
References
Chryssides
was invoked but never defined (see the
help page).churchofthecreator.com
was invoked but never defined (see the
help page).{{
cite web}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url=
(
help)
{{
cite web}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url=
(
help)
The above is long but i hope will facilitate discussion. -- Doncram ( talk) 18:56, 11 October 2019 (UTC)
Hey, there have been several accounts editing this article, which from context seem likely to be related. To any and all of these accounts/users, please be careful and be aware that there is very strict Wikipedia policy about the seen-to-be-great-sins practices of wp:Sock puppetry and related wp:Meat puppetry. Basically, you should only edit using one account, and you should be very careful to avoid appearance that you have "stacked" a discussion or tried to "edit war" by using multiple accounts of your own to make it seem like multiple independent persons were editing. Also, to some degree it is okay to inform potentially interested other persons to come to Wikipedia, and for them to open accounts and participate in some issue, but that is not great. Beware, there are administrators with high powers ("bureaucrats") who can analyze editors' connections and determine with great accuracy whether they are coming from the same place (although sometimes it is fine and good for two persons to edit occasionally from the same connection) or otherwise determine they are not independent. And this is treated as about the most serious transgression in Wikipedia (though frankly in my opinion there are much worse things) and editors involved can be banned permanently. I think it is just that this can be detected/proven by technical means, while other issues with editors are more amorphous so treated less seriously.
Specifically, User:Michael S. Legions is an editor who has properly acknowledged association with the subject church, addressing Wikipedia policy about wp:COI Conflict of Interest (which does not prohibit editing, but requires acknowledging association and cooperating with non-COI editors). This editor has been corresponding with me at User talk:Doncram#Church of the Creator article and should also be participating in discussion on this Talk page. Some other accounts, including User:Green Irish Eyes and User:W L Ishim and User:Palladintruth, have contribution history showing they only edited at this Church of the Creator article, so some might label them as "single purpose accounts" ( wp:SPA) and want to completely dismiss/discount their views. I tend to assume these are somewhat related parties, or perhaps fewer parties who have forgotten their account names or lost their password and just found it easier to create a new account to make edits. I think there is nothing nefarious here, it is just a few persons not familiar with Wikipedia's strict policies here. But anyhow, please do take care to edit only from one account per person, and if you do have association with this Church of the Creator please do disclose that somehow, perhaps by mention here on this Talk page or by a statement at your own User page or User Talk page. Else you risk getting shut down completely [i.e. any primary account plus "sock-puppets" would be shut down, and you would then not be able to participate at all from any account]. -- Doncram ( talk) 18:04, 11 October 2019 (UTC)
In this diff editor Bellerophon5685 added {{ Authority control}} in what I think should have been an innocuous edit. However, it brings up horrible problem again, that the legitimate Church of the Creator in Oregon is incorrectly identified again as the horrid white supremacist "church" in Illinois. Wikipedia editors, cumulatively, were awful to the Oregon organization for a number of years by meanly enforcing a redirect from the title of the church to the article about the evil white supremacist organization. That was really mean, it was out of evil delight in perverse Wikipedia rule-playing. I eventually learned of this and helped out by creating and defending a separate article on the Oregon church in order to eliminate the redirect.
I'm not familiar with "authority control" stuff, but the linked Library of Congress page at https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n82083781.html seems to indicate that the Library of Congress itself accepts/assigns the name "Church of the Creator" to the evil White Supremacist organization that illegally used the name for a period, until the legitimate nice Church of the Creator won court cases that protected their name. This seems like an issue going outside of Wikipedia. Speculating, perhaps the Library of Congress works on matters like this somewhat like Wikipedia, in taking the best info available as true until proven otherwise. There must be some way to work with Library of Congress librarians, to point them to the facts of the lawsuit differentiating the good vs. bad organizations and the clarity that the name belongs to the good one. And the Library of Congress record needs to be fixed.
Bellepheron5685, could you please shed further light and advise? -- Doncram ( talk) 02:15, 2 November 2020 (UTC)
This page was nominated for deletion on 2014 January 6. The result of the discussion was keep (Note that was about a previous redirect to a different church, but the redirect was just now replaced by a new article.--doncram, December 29, 2014). |
This article was nominated for deletion on 26 December 2010 (UTC). The result of the discussion was The result was redirect to Creativity (religion). (Note: that was just superseded by creation of article using AFC, on Church of the Creator --doncram, December 29, 2014). |
This article is rated Start-class on Wikipedia's
content assessment scale. It is of interest to the following WikiProjects: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Article has been tagged as possible COI and reading as a "news release." Latest updates simply reference the results of on-going trademark litigation. It is this litigation that helps make the article notable, so they are appropriate as included. The article, itself, was crafted by a long-time, well-respected, Wikipedia contributor and its inclusion has been debated at length, with the decision made that it is suitable as written. Green Irish Eyes ( talk) 23:56, 5 February 2019 (UTC)
See [16]. AndyTheGrump ( talk) 08:20, 25 December 2014 (UTC)
I think one paragraph on the dispute is enough - we don't need paragraphs on the analysis by legal scholars, no do we need a section devoted to previous litigation and choice of law firm. I will delete those paras and that section.-- ukexpat ( talk) 18:15, 29 December 2014 (UTC)
According to academic Steven John Olsen, "generic terms can be combined with other generic or more distinctive terms and the resulting composite term may be viewed in the eyes of the relevant public as distinctive and deserving of trademark protection. This was the situation in Te–Ta–Ma, where the court recognized that “church” alone is generic, but “Church of the Creator” is descriptive. The court reasoned that “Church of the Creator” does not denote the class of monotheistic religions or designate a specific religion for which a denomination belongs, but instead acts as a source identifier to differentiate an individual denomination." [1] [2]
According to David A. Simon, covering religious organizations having confusingly similar marks or names but adhering to opposing ideologies, the "most prominent case in this area is Te-Ta-Ma Truth Foundation Family of URI, Inc. v. World Church of the Creator" (Simon, page 265); he notes that "Religious organizations try to combat the actual-perception problem of truth by using lawsuits to maintain their own identity, and thereby maintain their religious authenticity."(Simon, page 265) He judged that "[t]he court found for the Foundation based on trademark principles, but concerns of authenticity played a role in its decision-making process."(Simon, page 267) [3]
The name dispute litigation is cited in other court cases, e.g. United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit's 2010 decision on "General Conference Corporation of Seventh-Day Adventists v. McGill". [4]
The case is cited elsewhere, e.g. in a New York City attorney's blog on "Can Religious Symbols Be Trademarked?". [5] [6]
Previous litigation and choice of law firm
The Uris had previous experience with law, in 1992 Oregon appeals court case "Te-Ta-Ma Truth Foundation v. Vaughan", which involved James Germain Uri, who was not a lawyer, seeking to represent the corporation, which he was not allowed to do. The case was dismissed based on "dilatoriness" of Te-Ta-Ma in pursuing its claim with proper legal representation. [7] In the later name dispute case, by contrast, the church would use the respected international legal firm Kirkland & Ellis.
Te-Ta-Ma Truth Foundation was in fact specifically noted for having hired an "experienced Chicago law firm" for its trademark case in a 2006 law journal article about attorneys' fees. [8]
References
- ^ Steven John Olsen. "Protecting Religious Identity with American Trademark Law". 12. Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property: 129.
{{ cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
( help)- ^ also
- ^ David A. Simon. "Register Trademarks and Keep the Faith: Trademarks, Religion and Identity" (PDF). IDEA: The Intellectual Property Law Review. 49 (2). (with pages 265-267 exclusively on this case)
- ^ "General Conference Corporation of Seventh-Day Adventists and General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, an Unincorporated Association, Plaintiffs-Appellees, v. Walter McGILL". FindLaw.com case.
- ^ Joseph Gioconda (July 15, 2012). "Can Religious Symbols Be Trademarked?". Gioconda Law.
- ^ "Gioconda Law Group PLLC: Group members".
- ^ Justia Law case report
- ^ Anne M. Mellen (Spring, 2006). "Comment and Casenote: Awarding Attorneys' Fees Under the Lanham Act: Egregious Litigation Conduct in the "Exceptional" Case". University of Cincinnati Law Review. 74: 1111.
{{ cite journal}}
: Check date values in:|date=
( help) (see Lexis-Nexis excerpt)
The following two suggestions were posted to my Talk page, and I am just now copying them here for discussion. In general it is fine and good for anyone to make suggestions on this Talk page, about improvements to the Church of the Creator article. If someone is affliated with the organization, they should review wp:COI, and while they are allowed to edit the article, they are especially encouraged to give suggestions here (and they should be willing to discuss here any edits they make to the article itself). Anyhow, consider:
Doncram. Use of name Church Of The Creator - Addressing here, and clarify understanding in talk section “capitalization” of “URI” and name “TE-TA-MA”. First, unlike Wikipedia process of becoming notable, written by third parties, then referenced using third parties, please understand, the process of “receivership”, a heart process, heavens to earth. The Founder’s experience, process may also be understood as an Epiphany. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_(feeling) That process began in 1969. Church archives contain many hand written pages of the experience, “received” concepts and conceptualizations. Many of those experiences were published by the Foundation, as a book, “Space of Grace” copyright registration# A 928860, December 27, 1977. "Parables in Prose - 33 Poems - Spiritual experiences, shared Expressions from the Heart. An Initiatory Road Map" http://www.wcotc.com/detail.aspx?ID=12
Within the poem “Universal Family” one line reads “This the Church of Our Creator” formalizing many aspects of the “Epiphany” wherein she experience many visitations, tangible materialization of beings, visions, dreams, and other experiences that were encoding understanding, history on a grand scale, and the mission she was being requested to embrace. The name was first written down in 1974, compiled with other material, published 1977, of record. Those are facts relative first use of the name, within the prose.
The names Teave, Tane, Marama, were given, “received” in a similar fashion without research or reference, and published within the poem/prose titled, “MU OUR HOMELAND” Space of Grace, “Myriad Children of The Rainbow You Are Beloved of Thy Parent Thou Art All Colors, Moving In Moving Out, Iridescent Art Thou For Now Is The Recognition That Is Come Into Your Memory, of Whom, You Are and From Whence Thou Came, The Sun, Tane, Thy Beloved Father Marama, The Moon, Thy Gentle Mother Divine In Their Vows To Bring The Children of The Rainbow Home Once Again Recognize Thy Worth Oh Children of The Earth Conceived In The Garden And Allowed By The Love of The One Thine Own Self-Will Restrict Not Thy Vision The True Vastness of Thy Being Stand Tall And Receive The Radiance As Again, A New Nation Comes Forth Re-Instated, To Thy Rightful Place All That Is Asked of Thee, Know Thy-Self Know Who You Are U R I end quote
Hope this brings understanding of how, origins of the Mission "Sacred Mandate" [copyright A 895182 September 19, 1977] of the Foundation, Church Of The Creator was received and anchored. This process is not unique to Grace Marama URI. In science Nikola Tesla is a good example of someone who understood, receivership and was commissioned to anchor the future, only now being better understood. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Tesla. Edgar Cayce http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Cayce, understood accessing, receiving, recording information from other off planet sources, while “asleep”. That offered him protection from practicing medicine without a license. There are many other examples, and science is now finding that the 80% junk DNA, is not junk, encoding within us, including accessing memory, experience, information from our ancestors. Not every human being has been given access. Grace Marama URI, had many user IDs and passwords, for other dimension of her lineage. All Humans are Divine in Origin, Image & Similitude and more and more are recognizing the process. TE-TA-MA, roots are further discussed “trinity TE TA MA links” Michael S. Legions ( talk) 01:27, 15 January 2015 (UTC)
At the official website of the Church of the Creator, there's an image perhaps "COTC_DoveStar_Seal_TM_Design.JPG" which would be good to incorporate into this article. If someone from the church could make it available for use in Wikipedia, by uploading it at commons.wikimedia.org, following instructions there, that would be great. You would not have to put the image into the public domain for it to be used. It is common for corporate logos to be used at articles about the corporations, without loss of their copyright or anything. I am not completely sure on the process for limited usage of copyrighted materials. But if there are questions, volunteers with the Wikipedia confidential email-based service called " wp:OTRS" could assist in arranging uploading and setting the properly restricted permissions.
Also, could someone upload a photo or two of the Church of the Creator's main building(s), to commons.wikimedia.org. That would help illustrate the article, too. -- do ncr am 22:41, 5 January 2015 (UTC)
Church Of The Creator® Dove/Star Seal Logo, was uploaded today. File name: Church_Of_The_Creator®_Logo_Wikipedia_Use©® 01-07-2015_581wx586hpixls.jpg
Descriptive Information associated to Church Of The Creator® Logo is provided below, as an Officer/Director/Co-Founder, placed upon the “talk” table for consideration of those responsible for the expressions of Wikipedia, as a collaborator, not an editor and without expectations as to what is considered relevant to the page/postings. The following is accurate to the best of my ability to track 40 years of service to humanity, within The Foundation. If further clarifications are needed, please let me know. Thank you.
Logo is composed in two parts. First: Trademarked Name and Official Seal as described and defined within: Ecclesia Magna Charta, ARTICLE IV SEAL: “Church Of The Creator® shall have as an Official Seal, a Six Pointed Star Grid, supporting and manifesting the Descending/Ascending Energy of the Holy Spirit Shekinah, Our Divine Mother, represented as a Dove, sustaining through the Holy Breath, this Planet Earth, held within Its Heart and uplifting this Planetary Sphere and Its Systems to their rightful place in the Heavens.” COTC Ecclesia Magna Charta, Organizing Document setting forth purpose, function, governance etc. of Church Of The Creator® © 1984. First published in part 1982, revised, completed, published as printed 18 page booklet, © 1984 with graphics as Appendix I & II.
The graphic COTC Dove/Star Seal was part of the registered copyright, by TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation-Family Of URI, #TX 945-318 COTC Associate Minister Certificate, March 9, 1982, verifiable via USPTO copyright search, copyrights held by TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation-Family Of URI, Inc.
The second component of the Logo is the registered trademark Divine Right Order®, understood to be a Divine Dispensation, issued in 1969, defined, for use by humanity to bring change:
“The Decree Divine Right Order® is a tool of consciousness: an instrument of affirmation which assists in co-creating in the Image and Similitude of The One Parent Creator Source. This vibrational harmonic, WHEN SPOKEN, resonates and sets into motion Cosmic and Divine Law, an automatic alignment to manifestation of Heaven on Earth, Highest Truth and Justice for the WHOLE of Creation; Unified Movement in at-one-ment to the Perfection of the Seed Atom of our Parent Creator; Asking for Divine Wisdom in being the instrument that only the Highest Truth manifest in Love; Divine Right Order® shall allow only Truth to manifest, Justice reign supreme, and Love to bring forth Harmony, Liberty, Freedom and Peace, United in Christ. D I V I N E Dedicated Individuals Viably Interconnecting New Endeavors R I G H T Redemptive Infusion God's Higher Truths O R D E R® Overself Restoration Degeneration Eternally Redeemed Faith can be acting without the consciousness mind understanding or needing proof. Acts of faith come from the heart, from knowing and acting on belief. Understanding of faith as a Divine Principle, can be applied daily and can have direct affect upon our planetary evolution and beyond. The tool of Divine Right Order,® when coupled with faith, move mountains. Cyclical programs, multi-levels of evolution unfolding before and within us need our nurturing and care. Our thoughts, words and deeds count. From the most obvious watering and weeding that must be done in every garden, to the more subtle discernment necessary to nurturing the gardens of consciousness, the weeding of thought forms, the seeding of love through action implanted in daily living, unconditional love and wisdom can be applied to every circumstance of life. Technically, mankind is advancing like a rocket. Satellites, cell phones, global electronic networks, computers based on silicon chips. Transmissions of energy on many frequencies proliferate and permeate our living environment. Sound waves, microwaves, light waves, alpha waves, beta waves, the list is endless and countless. Some energy waves need a fixed media to travel, like a wire, the electrical systems that we depend upon for conveniences in our homes. Some transmissions of energy penetrate and pass through the very structures of what many call reality, the three dimensional atomic structure of molecules and atoms. Lasers and X Rays go through some structures and impact others. When we are listening on a cellular phone, how many broadcasts are we actually receiving? Can thought forms ride on a radio wave? When we are connected on the internet, the world wide web, are we receiving only what is on the screen of our monitor or do we perhaps unperceptively get everything that is connected? Is our complex brain and nerve system which we use so little of and know so little about, affected by the growing complexities of our own creations? When using radio wave technology, it is easy for others to listen without us knowing. Is it just as true that we are unconsciously receiving broadcasts, being affected without knowing it ourselves? Can we really be isolated from the broadcast by turning a switch? How far and how many have and will be affected by the unseen, untasted, unheard, radiations of energy from our creations like Chernobyl? We certainly do not have the answers to all these questions. It would be nice to know, but total understanding isn't necessary to do something constructive. First, we can clean up our own creations and broadcasts of thoughts, words and deeds. Then we can offer up our small effort for who we represent. We all have families. We all have birthdays, let it count for everyone who has that common thread. Let it count for everyone with the same zodiac sign. Let it count for everyone who has a computer, for everyone who uses a word processor, just like we are doing this very moment. Jesus is the example, ONE represents all, everyone gets the benefit of his conscious application of Divine Law. He did it for everyone he represented, and so can you. It is Divine law and principle, however, it must be consciously applied to work. Jesus knew what he was doing. He chose to drink the whole cup. After cleaning up our own act, offering ourselves, our lives for those we represent, what can we do? How do we make our efforts count to the greatest possible good? How do we know from the perspective of our human beingness what needs fixing? Ask to do the job and the circumstances will find you. When you are living daily in this cosmic consciousness of service, you are already united with others in the Christ Body. Your actions no longer have the weight of the one, but carry the impact of the many. The knowledge of what needs fixing isn't necessary. When any part of you has even the slightest doubt, the slightest discernment, that this particular circumstance is tainted with anything other than the Divine Blueprint, affirm Divine Right Order.® This verbal affirmation, when spoken automatically activates change and calls upon those who do know if there is any tampering with your broadcast and receiving systems. From Your Lips To God's Ear Divine Right Order® calls upon our Creator and his many legions of Justice Beings to act in our behalf, to clear out, clean up and make right anything associated to circumstances not in harmony with Divine Law, Divine Will. You may not see the change, it may benefit others. You may face seemingly similar circumstances again, because you can be counted upon to ask for help, to affirm Divine Right Order,® for unknown reasons. That is part of being of service. Some of those who do the most good receive the least direct benefit. Divine Right Order® is your password to a Divine Network, legions of Angelic Host and Cosmic Beings just waiting for us to ask. And when we do, a great housecleaning and accounting takes place on multiple levels, things are placed straight. We only have to do our part in the Earth planes of consciousness. Those broadcasting, hi-tec or otherwise, interfering with humanities desire to live in peace are being held accountable. Your love, your being the representative, your asking and using the tool of Divine Right Order® helps get the job done." Above published on line http://www.churchofthecreator.com/divinerightorder.html and within other printed publications of The Foundation.
Also referenced by EASTERBROOK, Circuit Judge: published by the United States Circuit Court Of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Opinion, July 25, 2002, describing Church Of The Creator® after review of hundreds of pages of documentation, Case No. 02-1381, verifiable by many online references.
“…Church of the Creator (the operating name of TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation—Family of URI, Inc.) believes in universal love and respect. Its Sacred Mandate reads:
CHURCH OF THE CREATOR® Supports the Family Unification of Mankind In All Aspects Of The Whole. We of Like Mind Join Harmoniously In Oneness, Knowing That There Is Only One Creator Source. The Many In One Dedicate Our Physical Embodiments To The God Expression In Form, Bringing Forth By Example To This Planet Earth Love, Light and Peace. Therefore, Once Decreeing DIVINE RIGHT ORDER® In All Thoughts – All Things, Our Universe Automatically Aligns Into Manifestation of Heaven On Earth. Through The Priesthood of Melchizedek We Are One In The Body Of Jesus Christ. As Above So Below.
The Church’s web site http://www.churchofthecreator.com/divinerightorder.html provides additional details, including the text of the Divine Right Order…”
The Sacred Mandate may also be described as the Mission Statement of Church Of The Creator®. Published with further clarifications at: http://www.churchofthecreator.com/sacredmandate.html
If you need my assistance, further references, verifications, please advise.
Please use the Graphic Logo, the above information as wisdom of the heart guides us, to further our common goal of clear communication, cooperation, access for all people to truth. Thank you. Michael S. Legions ( talk) 18:28, 8 January 2015 (UTC)
I don't think this is a big issue, but I am a little confused on the usage of "Uri" vs. "URI", and also about "Te-Ta-Ma" vs. "TE-TA-MA". Right now in the article, by my own editing I guess, there is "Te-Ta-Ma Truth Foundation - Family of Uri Inc." and also "TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation - Family of URI Inc". My bad, maybe. Is the last name of the family "Uri" or "URI"? One usage should probably be adopted throughout the article and its infobox. With possible exception that "incorrect" usage by others, in a title of a court proceeding or in a direct quote, should not be changed. -- do ncr am 18:56, 9 January 2015 (UTC)
Well, I think it would improve the article if we could explain the church's use of the term TE-TA-MA, preferably including links to coverage elsewhere about the three. Are there Wikipedia articles (or should articles be started?) on the trinity of what you mean by the "pre-Polynesian" Teave, Tane, and Marama? I find Category:Polynesian deities. Are there any items within that category or its subcategories that correspond to these three? And, if there is no corresponding article, then we've bumped into an under-developed area of wikipedia maybe, where you could possibly help... -- do ncr am 03:59, 13 January 2015 (UTC)
Hello fellow Wikipedians,
I have just modified one external link on Church of the Creator. Please take a moment to review my edit. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. I made the following changes:
When you have finished reviewing my changes, you may follow the instructions on the template below to fix any issues with the URLs.
This message was posted before February 2018.
After February 2018, "External links modified" talk page sections are no longer generated or monitored by InternetArchiveBot. No special action is required regarding these talk page notices, other than
regular verification using the archive tool instructions below. Editors
have permission to delete these "External links modified" talk page sections if they want to de-clutter talk pages, but see the
RfC before doing mass systematic removals. This message is updated dynamically through the template {{
source check}}
(last update: 5 June 2024).
Cheers.— InternetArchiveBot ( Report bug) 12:03, 7 August 2017 (UTC)
Per my recent tagging:
creffett ( talk) 00:31, 15 July 2019 (UTC)
Some sources and ideas in deleted passages maybe should be restored or replaced in some way. I copy into here (hopefully without garbling too much) the deleted passages and sources, below. User:Seraphimblade, perhaps these can be discussed by comments inserted below each one? My views are not fixed, but I do think some expanded treatment of the notable litigation at least is appropriate (and good sources should exist), and some expanded coverage of the tenets and beliefs of the Church of the Creator maybe should be added (though sources independent of the church itself may be thin, and it may be hard to present this stuff in encyclopedic manner). Maybe readers should be directed more strongly to external links about the latter, I am not sure. -- Doncram ( talk) 18:56, 11 October 2019 (UTC)
Anyhow, deleted passages, sources include:
What was removed is:
References
Chryssides
was invoked but never defined (see the
help page).churchofthecreator.com
was invoked but never defined (see the
help page).{{
cite web}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url=
(
help)
{{
cite web}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url=
(
help)
The above is long but i hope will facilitate discussion. -- Doncram ( talk) 18:56, 11 October 2019 (UTC)
Hey, there have been several accounts editing this article, which from context seem likely to be related. To any and all of these accounts/users, please be careful and be aware that there is very strict Wikipedia policy about the seen-to-be-great-sins practices of wp:Sock puppetry and related wp:Meat puppetry. Basically, you should only edit using one account, and you should be very careful to avoid appearance that you have "stacked" a discussion or tried to "edit war" by using multiple accounts of your own to make it seem like multiple independent persons were editing. Also, to some degree it is okay to inform potentially interested other persons to come to Wikipedia, and for them to open accounts and participate in some issue, but that is not great. Beware, there are administrators with high powers ("bureaucrats") who can analyze editors' connections and determine with great accuracy whether they are coming from the same place (although sometimes it is fine and good for two persons to edit occasionally from the same connection) or otherwise determine they are not independent. And this is treated as about the most serious transgression in Wikipedia (though frankly in my opinion there are much worse things) and editors involved can be banned permanently. I think it is just that this can be detected/proven by technical means, while other issues with editors are more amorphous so treated less seriously.
Specifically, User:Michael S. Legions is an editor who has properly acknowledged association with the subject church, addressing Wikipedia policy about wp:COI Conflict of Interest (which does not prohibit editing, but requires acknowledging association and cooperating with non-COI editors). This editor has been corresponding with me at User talk:Doncram#Church of the Creator article and should also be participating in discussion on this Talk page. Some other accounts, including User:Green Irish Eyes and User:W L Ishim and User:Palladintruth, have contribution history showing they only edited at this Church of the Creator article, so some might label them as "single purpose accounts" ( wp:SPA) and want to completely dismiss/discount their views. I tend to assume these are somewhat related parties, or perhaps fewer parties who have forgotten their account names or lost their password and just found it easier to create a new account to make edits. I think there is nothing nefarious here, it is just a few persons not familiar with Wikipedia's strict policies here. But anyhow, please do take care to edit only from one account per person, and if you do have association with this Church of the Creator please do disclose that somehow, perhaps by mention here on this Talk page or by a statement at your own User page or User Talk page. Else you risk getting shut down completely [i.e. any primary account plus "sock-puppets" would be shut down, and you would then not be able to participate at all from any account]. -- Doncram ( talk) 18:04, 11 October 2019 (UTC)
In this diff editor Bellerophon5685 added {{ Authority control}} in what I think should have been an innocuous edit. However, it brings up horrible problem again, that the legitimate Church of the Creator in Oregon is incorrectly identified again as the horrid white supremacist "church" in Illinois. Wikipedia editors, cumulatively, were awful to the Oregon organization for a number of years by meanly enforcing a redirect from the title of the church to the article about the evil white supremacist organization. That was really mean, it was out of evil delight in perverse Wikipedia rule-playing. I eventually learned of this and helped out by creating and defending a separate article on the Oregon church in order to eliminate the redirect.
I'm not familiar with "authority control" stuff, but the linked Library of Congress page at https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n82083781.html seems to indicate that the Library of Congress itself accepts/assigns the name "Church of the Creator" to the evil White Supremacist organization that illegally used the name for a period, until the legitimate nice Church of the Creator won court cases that protected their name. This seems like an issue going outside of Wikipedia. Speculating, perhaps the Library of Congress works on matters like this somewhat like Wikipedia, in taking the best info available as true until proven otherwise. There must be some way to work with Library of Congress librarians, to point them to the facts of the lawsuit differentiating the good vs. bad organizations and the clarity that the name belongs to the good one. And the Library of Congress record needs to be fixed.
Bellepheron5685, could you please shed further light and advise? -- Doncram ( talk) 02:15, 2 November 2020 (UTC)