08/18/98 - 2033 (see also VNN story #2005)

Re: Copyrights of Transcendental Literature

USA (VNN) - by Sri Rama das

Recently VVN published an article by Swami B. A. Paramadvaiti (VNN stroy #2005). Since it contains some factual errors and appears to be motivated to create more discord and confusion among the devotees, I thought a reply was in order.

PAB: This letter is trying to give some suggestions on how Vaisnava Siddhanta views copyrights of transcendental literature.

SRd: Siddhanta means final conclusion. There are many Vaisnava Siddhanta on all kinds of. topics, depending on who you talk to. Whose siddhanta do you suggest we follow instead of Srila Prabhupada's. What is more important: public opinion, or the order of our guru? Or is there some special Vaishnava on the planet who dictates what the siddhanta is? Most of Prabhupada's books are translations and commentaries. Both the translation and purports are entitled to copyright. Prabhupada not only had his books copyrighted, but he was very specific about who printed and published them. Aren't you familiar with the letter that prohibits any entity, including the temples, from printing and publishing any of his works?

PAB: "Copyrights" means, that someone claims to own the rights of some creative contribution, and are as such incompatible with the nature of a divine descend of knowledge to this world. The spiritual master is the transparent medium of God to deliver his teachings to the world.

SRd: Prabhupada choose to copyright his works as part of his plan for spreading Krishna consciousness though out the world. Are you saying Srila Prabhupada was ignorant of what is compatible with distributing transcendental knowledge? Are you saying our guru was not a transparent via-media of Krishna?

PAB: A disciple receives the mantra and teachings from his Guru. He promises to remain faithful to his Gurus teaching. There is no other formal condition made to be accepted as a disciple. This clearly shows that each disciple has the right and duty to distribute the teachings of his Guru in the way he considers the most appropriate.

SRd: What about fulfilling all the orders of the guru? Did Prabhupada create ISKCON so "each disciple has the right and duty to distribute the teachings of his Guru in anyway he considers the appropriate?" Where did you find that in Prabhupada's Books? So we should pick and choose which orders we agree with and reject those that don't appeal to us?

PAB: The only real proprietor of the rights is the supreme Lord Sri Krishna himself.

SRd: The only real proprietor of anything is Krishna. The acarya teaches us how use everything in Krishna's service.

PAB: Therefore all the attempts by any person or institution to claim the exclusive rights to their Acaryas contributions is not according to the transcendental law.

SRd: Again, who should we obey, you or Srila Prabhupada? Prabhupada created the BBT to hold the copyrights and publish the books. He dictated the pricing of the books and the disposition of the funds. Besides, who is stopping you from buying books and distributing them? There is no barrier to acquiring Prabhupada's books-unless you want to print them yourself-a practice Srila Prabhupada absolutely forbade.

Well, enough said. I think the major points have been addressed. The BBT published Brahma Samhita because it was in the public domain. Srila Prabhupada's book will retain copyright protection for about fifty more years. Then you can do whatever you like.

Your servant,
Sri Rama das
[sri_rama@earthlink.net] or
[Srirama.ACBSP@com.bbt.se]