Fergie's Tech Blog

Scientologists not amused by Cruise spoof

Those wacky Scientologists need to get a sense of humor.

Jeannette Walls writes for MSNBC:

Looks like the Church of Scientology is not amused by a Web site spoofing it and Tom Cruise.

ScienTOMogy.info has received cease and desist letters from the church, threatening to sue the New Zealand-based Web site for copyright infringement, according to various sources.

“You are hereby on notice that the registration and use of this domain name in this fashion has caused your name to be falsely associated with our client’s registered mark, SCIENTOLOGY,” notes a legal letter posted online. “The fact that you have changed one letter (“m” instead of “l”) does not protect you from trademark infringement.”

The site — which mercilessly ridicules Cruise, his engagement, and his devotion to the controversial religion — has posted a disclaimer of sorts:

“YOU MUST UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING BEFORE CONTINUING: Obviously www.scienTOMogy.info has ABSOLUTELY NO connection whatsoever with the Church of Scientology, it’s [sic] affiliated organizations or, needless-to-say, Tom Cruise. It is designed for commentary and criticism within the limits of Free Speech. All content should be treated as opinion and all trademarks/copyrighted material herein are owned by their respective trademark owners. The Scientology site is here. Thank you. You may continue…”

posted by Fergie @ 10/17/2005 11:51:00 AM