http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2002Sep/gee20020925016491.htm
Church of Scientology targets Internet Archive
NEWS
The Church of Scientology has a history of pressuring websites
to remove content that is critical of the church. It has
succeeded in the past, even with such big names as Google and
Amazon. Recently, the Internet Archive, a site that maintains
a cache of old Web pages as "a library of Internet sites
and other cultural artifacts in digital form," was asked
to remove links to an archive of the site
http://www.Xenu.net/
is still an active site, regularly posting material that is
critical of the Church of Scientology, but the church wanted
the cache removed from the Internet Archive.
The Internet Archive removed its cache of
http://www.Xenu.net/, as requested,
telling Web surfers the site was removed "per request of
the site owner."
Andreas Heldal-Lund, webmaster of
http://www.Xenu.net, however, did not
request that the content be removed. A representative from
the Internet Archive explained that the Church of Scientology
"asserted" ownership of materials throughout the
http://www.Xenu.netcache. In fact, many links from the
http://www.Xenu.netarchive
to Church of Scientology sites had been set to respond with
an error message about blocked sites.
Facing pressure from Church of Scientology lawyers, though, the
volunteer-run Internet Archive removed the entire cache of
http://www.Xenu.net, including original work produced by Heldal-Lund.
Heldal-Lund can fight this action under U.S. law, but the
Norwegian citizen does not want to put himself under U.S.
jurisdiction.
As stated earlier, the Church of Scientology has won similar
victories over such sites as Google and Amazon, but recently
both have restored links to the protested materials. Amazon
has reinstated sales of a book critical of the church after
having removed the book at the church's request. Google once
again links to
http://www.Xenu.net, and forwards threatening letters from
the church to ChillingEffects.org for display and free-speech
education.
Read more at CNET.
THOMAS'S OPINION
I will try to refrain from the critical aspect of this story. I
am a man of faith. As such, I must respect anyone who has a
faith of his or her own. I do not wish to be critical of believers
in the Church of Scientology, but I must say there is some
compelling evidence of foul play in the church leadership.
Ask yourself this question: What is a church doing owning and
defending so voraciously copyrighted material, which it sells
at a high price to church members? If you're interested in more
info on this, visit
http://www.Xenu.net. Also, see if you can get the
guy at BrittSandusky.com to tell you how he feels. He should
really post some material on his site about this; I happen
to know he has an opinion.
This story, above religious criticism, is about free speech.
No group, whether political, religious, or otherwise, should
be allowed to bully site operators into removing content of
this type. Now don't get me wrong: I don't take that rule too
far. I don't believe that a website devoted to slander should
be protected, but a site devoted to honest criticism is essential.
How can we have checks and balances if no one is allowed to
speak out?
The Internet is most valuable to me (you should know why if
you're reading this) as a forum where anyone with a computer
can be heard. The Internet levels the playing ground, so to
speak, offering 15 minutes at Speaker's Corner to anyone
who'll give it a shot.
The Church of Scientology has every right to protect its
copyrighted materials, which is what it claims to be doing in
most of these cases; but that does not justify bullying
volunteer groups with a team of lawyers.
Exercise your freedom of speech. Visit
http://www.Xenu.net, and let Mr.
Heldal-Lund know he has a voice and a right to be heard.
What do you think, Geeks? What's an example of someone whose
voice need not be defended? Please, no examples from our own
forums :P
Sep 25 2002 - submitted by Thomas
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