Netcom and Scientology settle - 1996-08-04
Netcom and Scientology settle August 4, 1996,
The case involves claims by the Church of Scientology that a former church official turned critic used a bulletin board service and Netcom to post material on the Internet that infringed its copyrights.
Specifically, Religious Technology Center and Bridge Publications hold copyrights in the unpublished and published works of L. Ron Hubbard, the late founder of the Church of Scientology.
Co-defendant Dennis Erlich is a former minister of Scientology who became a vocal critic, with a Usenet newsgroup as his pulpit. Erlich's posting were made through a BBS, which was connected to the Internet through Netcom.
{{cite news | title = Netcom and Scientology settle | url = http://www.news.com/Netcom-and-Scientology-settle/2100-1023_3-219990.html | work = CNET | date = 1996-08-04 | accessdate = 2009-12-20 }}