Copyright Update

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In March 2002, the last of the appellate briefs was filed with the United States Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Michael Foundation Inc. v. Urantia Foundation. This case arises out of the publication by Harry McMullan III of a work that copied all but one of the Papers from Part IV of The Urantia Book. Information about this case is provided at https://www.urantia.org/sites/default/files/newsinfo/mcmullan.html

Because it appears the issues are fully addressed in the briefs and in the record of the proceedings at the trial court, Urantia Foundation filed notice it was withdrawing its request for oral argument, which would have occurred on September 27, 2002. We understand the panel of three judges assigned to rule on the case met on that date to reach a preliminary decision and to assign the writing of the court's opinion. We will not know the outcome until the written decision is issued, which could be weeks or months after the initial determination. We look forward to a prompt and proper resolution of this matter.

This case only affects the United States renewal copyright in the English text of The Urantia Book. Urantia Foundation continues to display copyright notices in the English books, as required by law, to preserve its international copyrights. In addition, all of the translations have separate copyrights that remain valid in the United States and throughout the world.

Foundation Info

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