The Circle of Atonement has recently received an answer to the legal complaint for declaratory relief that it filed on August 19, 1999. The Foundation for A Course in Miracles (FACIM) and the Foundation for Inner Peace (FIP) answered together, while Penguin answered on its own.
Both answers (from FIP/FACIM and from Penguin), as might be expected, denied many of the allegations in the Circle's complaint. The answer from FIP and FACIM is notable for its consistent denial of any allegation that includes the idea that the Course contains the words of Jesus, is a divine revelation, or is a modern day scripture. Helen Schucman is throughout described as the author of the Course, not its scribe, and Jesus is not mentioned as having any role in the origin of the Course.
FACIM and FIP followed their answer to the Circle's complaint with a counterclaim. This counterclaim lists fifty-two works from the Circle that are considered infringing. These include the Circle's book and booklet series, tapes, and electronic materials. FACIM and FIP then ask that the Circle shall pay their attorneys' fees along with whichever of the following is greater and is considered valid by the court: (a) the total damages to the value of the Course's copyright caused by the Circle's "infringing" works, along with whatever profits the Circle gained from those works; (b) statutory damages in the amount of $20,000 for each of the fifty-two "infringing" works (approximately one million dollars); (c) statutory damages for "willful infringement" in the amount of $100,000 for each of the fifty-two works (approximately five million dollars).
FACIM and FIP also ask that the Circle be both preliminarily and permanently enjoined from distributing any of its "Infringing Materials, or any other books or materials substantially similar to A Course in Miracles." They then ask that all of the Circle's materials "containing excerpts from A Course in Miracles...[or] substantially similar to A Course in Miracles...shall be delivered and destroyed as the Court shall direct."
As in our other
communications about this matter we urge students to genuinely
try to practice the Course in how they perceive this matter. The
Course teaches that there is no cause for upset in this situation,
and that is exactly how we at the Circle are endeavoring to see
it. As with all apparently upsetting situations we can all choose
to "see peace instead of this" (Workbook Lesson 34).
If, in that peace, you feel inspired to help with our legal fund, we would be very grateful for your support.