September 17, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
In Sweden: Gullevi Algren
(08) 615 21 81 or (070) 751 10 39
In US: Linda Simmons Hight
(323) 960-3500
mediarelationsdir@scientology.net

SWEDISH SUPREME COURT DECIDES IN FAVOR OF SCIENTOLOGY CHURCH

The Supreme Court refused to review a lower court decision and thus upheld that unpublished Scripture of the Scientology religion is protected by copyright law and may be kept confidential by the owner of the writings. The Scripture retains its unpublished, confidential status under the law.

“The decision is a victory not only for the Church but for all people who honor the laws of our country,” said Stockholm Church spokeswoman Gullevi Almgren.

The case started six years ago when Zenon Panoussis of Stockholm placed unpublished Scientology Scripture—earlier stolen from the Church of Scientology in Copenhagen—in the Parliament in Stockholm and then claimed it was publicly available.

Panoussis was convicted of copyright infringement in the District Court in Stockholm and was ordered to pay fines and court costs. On March 9, 2001, the Svea Appeal Court upheld the District Court ruling.

“We are extremely pleased that this important issue has been decided in favor of the people of Sweden. This sends a message to those who try to put themselves above the law,” said Almgren.

The Scientology religion was founded by author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church was established in 1954 and today has more than 8 million members in 154 countries. The Scientology religion has been established in Sweden since 1969 and received official recognition from the government in 2000.