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How to Legally Use Some of L.R.H.'s Work

Hello,

I have been attempting to find a solution to this problem for a while, and have attempted to contact Free Zone Scientologists with no success. I did not want to post this question here, as I respect it as a space for ex-Scientologists to speak among themselves, and I did not want to take up space on a site for that purpose. However, I have found nobody else to ask, so I ask here.

I am a writer, and a chapter of a book I am writing regards Scientology. I have been wanting to use a particular quote from the album "The Road to Freedom" by L'envoy, particular from the song "Thank You For Listening" sung by Hubbard himself, as it is pertinent to the thesis of the segment of my book. Now, while I am aware that using one single quote can often be covered by fair use, I am terrified of the idea of the C.o.S. stepping on my toes, nor do I really feel comfortable contacting the C.o.S. directly to ask for usage permissions (for rather obvious reasons). Would you say that I would be generally safe in going forward in publishing, or do you have other ideas?

Thank You,
Good Day.
 

HelluvaHoax!

Platinum Meritorious Sponsor with bells on
..

Nice song choice, lol.

Do you mean you are going to quote or reference some of the lyrics? I can't imagine you will not be covered under fair use, especially since that specific song is the most parodied song in Hubbard's hideous catalogue of hits. On this website alone, it has been mentioned many dozens of times.

On a related topic, have you considered including an exclusive interview with musical innovator supreme, Arp Cola? He is apparently extremely reclusive and very hard to get a commitment from; even Rolling Stone and Billboard haven't ever published an interview with the man behind the music.
 

Bill

Gold Meritorious Patron
Hello,

I have been attempting to find a solution to this problem for a while, and have attempted to contact Free Zone Scientologists with no success. I did not want to post this question here, as I respect it as a space for ex-Scientologists to speak among themselves, and I did not want to take up space on a site for that purpose. However, I have found nobody else to ask, so I ask here.

I am a writer, and a chapter of a book I am writing regards Scientology. I have been wanting to use a particular quote from the album "The Road to Freedom" by L'envoy, particular from the song "Thank You For Listening" sung by Hubbard himself, as it is pertinent to the thesis of the segment of my book. Now, while I am aware that using one single quote can often be covered by fair use, I am terrified of the idea of the C.o.S. stepping on my toes, nor do I really feel comfortable contacting the C.o.S. directly to ask for usage permissions (for rather obvious reasons). Would you say that I would be generally safe in going forward in publishing, or do you have other ideas?

Thank You,
Good Day.
The answer would be different, depending on what part of the world you are in - and where you plan to publish. In the U.S. there is the concept of Fair Use. In the U.K. it is, I believe, "Fair Dealing" (similar but not identical). I would say that, legally, you are on OK grounds (IANAL).

However, that doesn't protect you from being attacked by the CoS and even taken to court. It could be expensive, even when the CoS has no legal leg to stand on.

It all depends on if you catch the CoS's attention and if they think it's worthwhile to stop you. That's something I can't judge.

You could paraphrase with much less risk but that isn't as effective. Sorry, I can't help more.

Perhaps a lawyer-type here could give you a better answer.
 

Veda

Sponsor
hqdefault.jpg



[video=youtube;ZpTUhN__FRk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpTUhN__FRk[/video]

______


From L. Ron Hubbard's 1947 Affirmations:

"... You are a master.
You are as sensitive and sexy as Pan.
Lord help women when you begin to fondle them.
You are a master of their bodies,
master of their souls
as you may consciously wish.
You have no karma to pay for these acts.
You cannot now accumulate karma
for you are a master adept.
Your voice is low and compelling to them.
Singing to them, for you sing like a master,
destroys their will to resist
...
"



_____


0001961300000C1D-0-image-a-13_1435237628707.jpg

"Wait, don't go. Let me sing a few lines from this song I just wrote..."
 

Victoria

Patron Meritorious
I just read a sci fi book called "Blasphemy". -Douglas Preston

It is about a large hadron collider project that malfunctions when they try to boot the thing up.
It actually starts sending message screens.

The team assume the computers have been compromised, but some members get drawn into a dialogue with the thing, which claims to be what we mere humans would call God.

In these conversations this entity reveals secretive personal details about the individuals who communicate with it, leading them to wonder if it is actually a malware situation .

Long exciting story short, (involving Hopi Indians, fundamentalist Christians, corrupt politics and more) it turns out the scientist in charge of the project has manipulated the entire situation in order to start a new religion based on science.

An undercover investigator into the project finally finds the truth, and reveals what the code name that is mentioned throughout the book means.

I thought it odd that the name sounded vaguely familiar to me, but imagine my surprise, when he try's to explain it was "ALL A FRAUD, KINDA LIKE SCIENTOLOGY".

The code name was JOE BLITZ. A pen name for L.Ron Hubbard. The lead scientist who wanted to start the religion eventfully explained how Hubbard decided to get rich by inventing a religion.

The kicker;
Although this lead scientist had been labeled the anti Christ by trying to create a Big Bang based religion, he was envious that Hubbard had never suffered such a fate.

I had to LOL at that. Evidently the author never knew that Hubbard declared
Himself the anti-Christ in OT8, hahaha.

Anyway, off topic I suppose, but I literally see Scientology references and materials everywhere these days. Nobody seems intimidated anymore about any of it.

Plus, I just had to tell someone who would understand why I was absolutely guffawing as I drove along listening to this on audio last week;)
 

Jump

Operating teatime
How about writing to the cult with the request telling them exactly what you are doing and whether they would have any problem with using the quote you need. Say you need their reply by 21 days if they have any concerns.

They probably won't reply, but if they did, the content of the reply itself would be hilarious.
 
Thank you all for replying (and listening :p). Firstly, I am publishing out of Saudi Arabia (my home), but will have international audience as I am publishing an e-Book via Amazon. Next, my chapter actually speaks rather kindly (inasmuch as is possible, anyway) of Mr. Hubbard, while giving a fair assessment of his faults and out-right bad qualities. The quote I wish to use will not be a "parody" or a mockery, but a positive take on the lyrics as applied to all world religions <embarrassing side note: I actually find the song quite catchy and lovable>. Do you think that such a publication would "catch their attention," as you put it, and incense them enough to sue be based on a false Fair Use breach case?

And no, I have no intention of actually contacting them. I would prefer the C.o.S not to have my personal contact information, Thank You.

Thank You all again,
Lilam Jazeefa.
 

HelluvaHoax!

Platinum Meritorious Sponsor with bells on
I just read a sci fi book called "Blasphemy". -Douglas Preston

It is about a large hadron collider project that malfunctions when they try to boot the thing up.
It actually starts sending message screens.

The team assume the computers have been compromised, but some members get drawn into a dialogue with the thing, which claims to be what we mere humans would call God.

In these conversations this entity reveals secretive personal details about the individuals who communicate with it, leading them to wonder if it is actually a malware situation .

Long exciting story short, (involving Hopi Indians, fundamentalist Christians, corrupt politics and more) it turns out the scientist in charge of the project has manipulated the entire situation in order to start a new religion based on science.

An undercover investigator into the project finally finds the truth, and reveals what the code name that is mentioned throughout the book means.

I thought it odd that the name sounded vaguely familiar to me, but imagine my surprise, when he try's to explain it was "ALL A FRAUD, KINDA LIKE SCIENTOLOGY".

The code name was JOE BLITZ. A pen name for L.Ron Hubbard. The lead scientist who wanted to start the religion eventfully explained how Hubbard decided to get rich by inventing a religion.

The kicker;
Although this lead scientist had been labeled the anti Christ by trying to create a Big Bang based religion, he was envious that Hubbard had never suffered such a fate.

I had to LOL at that. Evidently the author never knew that Hubbard declared
Himself the anti-Christ in OT8, hahaha.

Anyway, off topic I suppose, but I literally see Scientology references and materials everywhere these days. Nobody seems intimidated anymore about any of it.

Plus, I just had to tell someone who would understand why I was absolutely guffawing as I drove along listening to this on audio last week;)


What an extraordinarily provocative premise for a story--and movie! But, the direction the author took the tale sounds kind of anti-climactic. I haven't read it, this is all just based on what you posted.

What I am saying is that I loved the "set-up" but the "pay-off" was somewhat uninspired and left so much of the story's promise and possibilities behind. My thoughts go to other great cinematic treatment of the same "cosmic mystery" genre--and how they "solved" the central predicament of the narrative. Sorry to ramble, but I find this kind of creative problem solving so fascinating.

Example: The 1968 masterpiece "2001 A Space Odyssey" evolved from rather humble and nearly unrecognizable origins. It began as "The Sentinel", a short story written by Arthur Clarke in 1948 which he submitted to a writing contest. His entry did not win, nor did it place or even receive an "honorable mention". Decades later the central mystery of that story (the gleaming black "monolith" discovered on the moon, that appeared to have been planted by ancient aliens) was evolved into the legendary movie "2001". The story's development had to figure out what the cosmic meaning of that monolith was and they ended up writing an entirely new narrative surrounding that monolith.

The point I am making (if anyone is actually still reading this, lol) is that the movie's writers (Clarke and Stanley Kubrick, who also directed the film) spent four years exploring and developing a narrative that was as profoundly cosmic as the monolith itself.

240px-Kubrick_and_Arthur_Clarke.jpg


They never compromised and settled for a ordinary tale, but kept working at it until they ultimately opened up stunning new story portals and pathways that no movie had ever traveled before. They didn't settle for for the ordinary, because the monolith was extraordinary.

As a writer, I think the setup that you described is quite fantastic. I'd love to see a movie about that, but only if they tossed out everything after that opening--and tried to come up with some answer to the mystery that deeply satisfying and resonated truth in some new and exciting way.

Hey, some people spend hours solving difficult crossword puzzles. Savoring the brilliance of great cinematic storytellers is one of life's little pleasures for me.
 

HelluvaHoax!

Platinum Meritorious Sponsor with bells on
...


How about writing to the cult with the request telling them exactly what you are doing and whether they would have any problem with using the quote you need. Say you need their reply by 21 days if they have any concerns.

They probably won't reply, but if they did, the content of the reply itself would be hilarious.



HellYeah! If Lilam wrote that letter to them today (25 Nov 2016), here's my prediction:

Flash forward 25 years, when a written reply from Scn arrives in the mail:

November 25, 2041

Dear Lilam,

It's been a quarter century since you have been in com. How is it going?

Back in 2016, it appears you purchased some of Ron's music and you were quite fascinated with his hit song "THANK YOU FOR LISTENING". In fact, it seems you asked questions about it and I am wondering if you ever got the answers you were looking for?

Please tell me more about the wins you had from listening to Ron sing and why you haven't been in the org again since that time. Our Founder, Dr. Hubbard, discovered that sometimes a being can have such a huge win they don't want to "overrun" it, so they don't continue Scientology. In fact, LRH discovered that "going past a huge win" is the only reason one gives up or abandons a subject.

I think at the time you were active on the Bridge to Total Freedom, there was some false data that "...an MU is the only reason one gives up or abandons a subject", but that crazy idea was planted by psychs in order to prevent mankind from going free of the MEST trap.

When can you come in for a free REHAB SESSION to restore your life changing win from "Thank You For Listening"? My rehab specialist auditor still has a couple open spots this week so let's get you in here, either Weds at 3:00 pm or Weds at 10:45pm, which is better for you?

It is urgent that you come in immediately so that you do not lose your eternity. And, so that you don't miss the free frosted cupcakes that we are giving out to new people who come into the org.

ML,

William "Billy" Blowdown Jr.
Advanced Scheduling Registrar
 

HelluvaHoax!

Platinum Meritorious Sponsor with bells on
--snipped--

The answer would be different, depending on what part of the world you are in - and where you plan to publish. In the U.S. there is the concept of Fair Use. In the U.K. it is, I believe, "Fair Dealing" (similar but not identical). I would say that, legally, you are on OK grounds (IANAL).


Fair Use, Fair Dealing and Fair Game, oh my!

In practice (within the US) there is a virtually unlimited legal tolerance of Fair Use when it comes to parody, comedy, spoofs or critiques. It would have to be something of a profound legal upheaval (i.e. precedent setting Supreme Court ruling) for creative material (songs, plays, movies, books, paintings, poems, documentaries, et al) to be allowed to stop others from responding to them with humor, criticism, spoofs, send-ups, satire and comedy skits.

Case in point, the song "Thank You For Listening" appears all over the internet as well as scathing comments about it and (gasp!) "joking and degrading"--something Dr. Hubbard tried to eliminate (along with war, criminality and insanity) on this planet.

Scientology hasn't contacted, threatened or sued me (so far) and I must have no less than a couple dozen fair use posts where I quote, mock and/or replay that ridiculously hideous song. So, if they were going to go all legal, why didn't they go after me already?
 

Operating DB

Truman Show Dropout
William "Billy" Blowdown Jr.
Advanced Scheduling Registrar

LOL. So Billy Blowdown in the future has a son named Junior. Hilarious! Is he a second generation scio or third? Did Billy Blowdown the First have a father and mother in scio? How far back on the track does the family line go?
 

Veda

Sponsor
-snip-

The quote I wish to use will not be a "parody" or a mockery, but a positive take on the lyrics as applied to all world religions <embarrassing side note: I actually find the song quite catchy and lovable>.

-snip-

Would you mind sharing with us what the quote is?





___________



[video=youtube;mpx4ODP35VQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpx4ODP35VQ[/video]
Charlie Manson singing.
 

Veda

Sponsor
Hope I didn't alienate Lilam with that Charlie Manson song. Oh well.

Here are the complete lyrics to Hubbard's song:

Thank you for listening,
I write just for you;
but others hearing this may find
things they could argue.

I do not sing what I believe.
I only give them fact.
If they believe quite otherwise,
it still will have impact.

But truth is truth and if they then
decide to live with lies,
that's their concern not mine my friend.
They're free to fantasize.

Lilam, in the event that you read this post, here's a link to a concise - and balanced - description of Scientology. It may help you to understand that things such as the song you like are not representative of the rest of Scientology.
 

uncover

Gold Meritorious Patron
.....
Scientology hasn't contacted, threatened or sued me (so far) and I must have no less than a couple dozen fair use posts where I quote, mock and/or replay that ridiculously hideous song. So, if they were going to go all legal, why didn't they go after me already?
Hmmm.... let's see...... let's give it a try: maybe because they didn't figure out by now whom (and where) to send the complaint ?
 

HelluvaHoax!

Platinum Meritorious Sponsor with bells on
..

LOL. So Billy Blowdown in the future has a son named Junior. Hilarious! Is he a second generation scio or third? Did Billy Blowdown the First have a father and mother in scio? How far back on the track does the family line go?


Why yes, William Blowdown Jr. is Billy's son!

Thanks for asking about Billy's entire family. As you suspected, Billy's mom and dad were very famous Scientologists back in the day!

His father, Ward Blowdown, was an accomplished inventor and celebrated door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman who (along with his wife June Blowdown) studied with Ron Hubbard back in Wichita, Kansas in '53!


WARD BLOWDOWN DEMONSTRATES HIS REVOLUTIONARY
NEW VACUUM CLEANER WHICH BOASTED STATE OF THE ART,
PATENT-PENDING MIRACLE-SUCK TECHNOLOGY[SUP]tm[/SUP]


f349f68f-11a4-4bbf-b084-0bb78800fef9_zpsljyulb7u.png


Excerpt from WIKIPEDIA: "...and went on to become Kirby Vacuum's
#1 salesman for twenty years running, after which Ward Blowdown invented
and marketed his own "revolutionary" vacuum cleaner. Within two years
of moving himself and his family to Wichita and studying "advanced physics"
at the Hubbard Institute, Ward's company began making strange claims that
triggered investigations by consumer regulatory agencies. The company
was raided and shut down after Blowdown made numerous assertions
which could not be verified, including his claim that he had "over ten million
winning customers
" and that "...at the end of WW II dust allergies left me

blind and lame and I cured myself with the SuperSuck[SUP]tm[/SUP]
technology!"






 

Free Being Me

Crusader
..




Why yes, William Blowdown Jr. is Billy's son!

Thanks for asking about Billy's entire family. As you suspected, Billy's mom and dad were very famous Scientologists back in the day!

His father, Ward Blowdown, was an accomplished inventor and celebrated door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman who (along with his wife June Blowdown) studied with Ron Hubbard back in Wichita, Kansas in '53!


WARD BLOWDOWN DEMONSTRATES HIS REVOLUTIONARY
NEW VACUUM CLEANER WHICH BOASTED STATE OF THE ART,
PATENT-PENDING MIRACLE-SUCK TECHNOLOGY[SUP]tm[/SUP]


f349f68f-11a4-4bbf-b084-0bb78800fef9_zpsljyulb7u.png


Excerpt from WIKIPEDIA: "...and went on to become Kirby Vacuum's
#1 salesman for twenty years running, after which Ward Blowdown invented
and marketed his own "revolutionary" vacuum cleaner. Within two years
of moving himself and his family to Wichita and studying "advanced physics"
at the Hubbard Institute, Ward's company began making strange claims that
triggered investigations by consumer regulatory agencies. The company
was raided and shut down after Blowdown made numerous assertions
which could not be verified, including his claim that he had "over ten million
winning customers
" and that "...at the end of WW II dust allergies left me

blind and lame and I cured myself with the SuperSuck[SUP]tm[/SUP]
technology!"






:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:

Et sordidum jocandi, rosa rubicundior, lilio candidior, omnibus formosior, semper in te glorior. :thumbsup:
*Joking and degrading, redder than the rose, whiter than the lilies, fairer than everything, I will always glory in thee.
 
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Veda

Sponsor
The opening post and the follow up - granted a bit usual - are being largely ignored. It's like asking a question or commenting, and the others talk to each other and ignore the initial questioner or commenter. Bordering on bad manners.

I would like to know when Lilam was introduced to Scientology, what books he's/she's read, and his/her conclusions so far. He/she comes from Saudi Arabia, so maybe Lilam - having a different frame of reference - could teach us something.



[video=youtube;g8ywW0nf6Ro]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8ywW0nf6Ro[/video]​
 

Knows

Gold Meritorious Patron
Thank you all for replying (and listening :p). Firstly, I am publishing out of Saudi Arabia (my home), but will have international audience as I am publishing an e-Book via Amazon. Next, my chapter actually speaks rather kindly (inasmuch as is possible, anyway) of Mr. Hubbard, while giving a fair assessment of his faults and out-right bad qualities. The quote I wish to use will not be a "parody" or a mockery, but a positive take on the lyrics as applied to all world religions <embarrassing side note: I actually find the song quite catchy and lovable>. Do you think that such a publication would "catch their attention," as you put it, and incense them enough to sue be based on a false Fair Use breach case?

And no, I have no intention of actually contacting them. I would prefer the C.o.S not to have my personal contact information, Thank You.

Thank You all again,
Lilam Jazeefa.

you do realize they now have "your personal contact information"....?

Scientology Covert Op's - OSA - patrols this board daily....to go after anyone who "steals plagiarized shit by LRH":omg:

Hope they can't find you in Saudia Arabia. Watch your toothpaste (they will break into your home and lace it with LSD)...:nervous:



:whistling:
 

HelluvaHoax!

Platinum Meritorious Sponsor with bells on
.
---------------------------------​

Originally Posted by Lilam Jazeefa --snip--
The quote I wish to use will not be a "parody" or a mockery, but a positive take on the lyrics as applied to all world religions <embarrassing side note: I actually find the song quite catchy and lovable.

---------------------------------


Originally Posted by Veda
The opening post and the follow up - granted a bit usual - are being largely ignored. It's like asking a question or commenting, and the others talk to each other and ignore the initial questioner or commenter. Bordering on
bad manners.

I would like to know when Lilam was introduced to Scientology, what books he's/she's read, and his/her conclusions so far. He/she comes from Saudi Arabia, so maybe Lilam - having a different frame of reference - could teach us something.


---------------------------------




Whattttttttt?????

What bad manners?

What Saudi Arabia? We're here to learn about Saudi Arabia? Good to know. LOL

The poster asked a question and got a bunch of replies.

Then the posters hanging around had some fun and joked around on another subject, nothing to do with the original poster.

Now you want to give manners lessons? Why is your unsolicited history lesson post (i.e. repost of the "peeling the onion"), Russian brainwashing material and other such fare any better than people joking around? I don't get how you came to "rise above" the other posters on this thread, LOL.

Less sermonizing, si vous plait, when nobody is doing anything wrong. I don't see the original poster complaining.

Wait a second, I just noticed that post (above) where "THANK YOU FOR LISTENING" is described as "quite catchy and lovable". LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. What the hell?

Twilight Zone moment: Are we getting played on this thread? LOL

NOTE TO LILAM: Are you serious? That was a joke, right? Please say it was a joke. LOL
 
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