GBC defies Srila Prabhupada over copyright

Back to Prabhupada, Issue 20, Summer 2008

By Krishnakant

Clearly rattled over the success of BTP, and its statement on the cover that it is the “magazine of the real Hare Krishna Movement”, the GBC have now decided to try and trademark the term ‘the Hare Krishna movement’:

**TRADEMARKS Praghosa dasa will inquire whether it is possible to trademark ‘The Hare Krishna Movement’ and the cost for doing it.”
**(Euro GBC minutes, Mayapur, March 5th, 2008).

Yet Srila Prabhupada has clearly stated that such a move should not be taken:

“Another thing is although I have brought this Sankirtana Movement to the Western World we cannot make it copyrighted. The Sankirtana Movement is not my invention. So how can it be copyrighted? Besides that, as you will find in the album of my previous recording, the chanting of Hare Krishna is going on since time immemorial. So Hare Krishna cannot be copyrighted, although the tune in **which I sing with my disciples, that may be made copyrighted. I have no objection to sign this agreement, but don’t be misled the chanting of Hare Krishna or Lord Caitanya’s Movement can be made copyrighted.”
**(Srila Prabhupada Letter, June 10th, 1969)

So, Srila Prabhupada states that neither the Sankirtana (preaching) movement or Lord Caitanya’s movement, nor “Hare Krishna” can be copyrighted, and in response, the GBC decide to try and do exactly that! The GBC are so afraid of the progress made by the IRM, that they are prepared to defy Srila Prabhupada to try and counter us. But then what’s new? Today’s ISKCON is completely based on defying Srila Prabhupada – starting with kicking him out as the Guru of his own movement.

Please chant: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare. And be Happy!