Trouble in paradise

As some of you may know, Ken Ham’s Answers in Genesis in Kentucky has been in litigation with Creation Ministries International (CMI) – the old “Answers in Genesis” in Australia (AiG in Australia was forced to change it’s name over this).

It’s been fun to watch this unfold since 2005, and some interesting documentation has been produced. I will not go into details as information can be found here and here.

The latest salvo was that Answers in Genesis in Kentucky wanted CMI to attend and be bound by “Christian Arbitration” with American-based, Peacemaker Ministries. CMI objected to arbitration in general, saying that many of the issues are to resolved under Australian law, and to Peacemaker Ministries in particular. The judge has ruled that arbitration should take place (a loss for CMI), but that it take place under the American Arbitration Association (a loss for AiG).

That’s where it sits at the moment.

A list of documents relating to the litigation can be found here and it provides some interesting reading.

For example, you’d think this is all about the freedom to operate to spread the word of G-d, right? Well according the attorney for AiG in Kentucky, one of the reasons for a rapid conclusion to the case is:

. . my client is prohibited or impeded from using its name in conjunction with its ministry or any of its materials in any of these English-speaking countries outside of the United States and the U.K. We have a big market presence, have a lot of supporters, and customers, in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

We can't do business in these countries pending the cloud on this title.

And

CMI aggressively goes after churches, ministries, distributors, and retailers that sell anything that have anything to do with my client in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand It hurts my client's business. (p.27)

So there you go, it’s all about the money.

Want more?

One of the documents lists an application by AiG to register Answers in Genesis as a trade mark in Canada.

Hang on. Didn’t their attorney say that, my client is prohibited or impeded from using its name in conjunction with its ministry or any of its materials in any of these English-speaking countries outside of the United States and the U.K.? Hmmm.

Anyhow, Answers in Genesis International which appears to opperate out of the same building in Queensland as CMI), has objected and had introduced an application of it’s own to register Answers in Genesis as a trade mark in Canada.

This is part of what Answers in Genesis in Kentucky want their trade mark to cover:

WARES:
Pre-recorded video discs containing movies, seminars and lectures in the field of creation science; video game cartridges and software; sunglasses; interactive multimedia computer game program, educational software featuring instruction on material related to creation science; pre-recorded DVDs containing movies, seminars and lectures in the field of creation science; computer screen saver software; pre-recorded compact discs containing music, seminars and lectures in the field of creation science; children's educational software featuring material related to creation science; decorative refrigerator magnets; magnets; wall calendars; trivia cards; trading cards; tracing paper; paper towels; three-ring binders; story books; stories in illustrated form, namely illustrated books in the field of Biblical apologetics; stamp pads and inks; stationery boxes, folders, writing paper, envelopes and stationery-type portfolios; sketch books, pads, and sketches; scrapbooks, albums and pages; religious books; prayer books; pocket calendars; playing cards and cases; pictures; picture books; pens; pencils; paper name badges; paper napkins, paper note tablets; paper party bags; paper plates; paper display boxes, flags, empty gift bags, gift wrap bows, gift wrapping ribbons; identification tags; painting sets for children; paintings, pamphlets; note books; note cards; note pads; notebook paper; notebook dividers; posters; markers; marking pens; lunch bags; letter openers; ink pens; greeting cards; gift cards, gift wrapping paper; fountain pens; flash cards; felt tip markers, pens; engraving plates; engravings; embroidery design patterns; desk calendars; comic books, comic strips; comic strips' comic features in the field of Biblical apologetics; coloring books; children's activity books; children's books; children's story books cartoon prints; cartoon strips; calendar desk pads; calendars; bumper stickers; bookmarks; baby books; ball point pens; arts and craft paint kits; art pictures; art prints; architectural models; squeeze bottles sold empty, glass mugs, drinking glasses, cups, coffee cups, lunch pails, lunch boxes; bath towels, pillow cases, covers, and shams, handkerchiefs, bed sheets, bed spreads; trousers; t-shirts; ties, sweat shirts; sweat pants; sweat bands; sweat shorts; sweat suits; sweaters; swim wear; swim suits; sport shirts; sleep shirts; sleepwear; slippers; scarves; rain boots, clothing, namely, coats, jackets, suits, and rainwear; polo shirts; ponchos; neckwear, namely, neckties, neckerchiefs; knit shirts; hats; gym shorts; gym suits; clothing caps; prerecorded audio cassettes, tapes, video cassettes, and video tapes featuring material related to creation science; children's video tapes featuring material related to creation science; audio cassettes, audio digital tapes, audio compact discs and audio tapes featuring music, seminars and lectures in the field of creation science; printed lectures and seminar notes; printed teaching books and pamphlets and teaching activity guides featuring material related to creation science; newsletters featuring material related to creation science; magazines featuring material related to creation science; educational books featuring material related to creation science; publications, namely training manuals in the field of material related to creation science; brochures featuring material related to creation science; books featuring material related to creation science.

Rain boots!? Rainwear!? Do AiG know something they’re not telling us? There’s not another flood due is there?