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Interesting move, although I'd bet it will turn out to be a challenge to enforce, if the Scientologists decide to try to fight it. It will also be interesting to see how this move would hold up in court. I can certainly understand Wikipedia's point of view - they aren't discriminating against an organization but rather dealing with a group that has been quite disruptive to them. It could be interesting to see which way it swings and what the ramifications are.


Wikipedia is a private website - it's fully within their rights to decide who can or can't contribute. Hence, there's no grounds for a suit.


The CoS doesn't often let little details like that get in their way.

See chris11's link in this thread.


Oh, I'm quite aware. And that's why I said there's no grounds to sue, not that they won't sue. :)


It won't go to court. Nothing of any value stays on w* without proper citation (so there goes libel), and since there's no financial consideration for participation in or use of w* the CoS can't claim injury in the legal sense.

They do have awesome videogame-style powerups, though... http://carolineletkeman.org/sp/images/stories/claims/eternit...


I wouldn't be surprised if they filed anyway. Scientology does have a reputation for filing frivolous lawsuits. Hubbard did say that lawsuits were great for harassment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology_and_the_legal_syste...


+1 point for using the Wikipedia article on Scientology and the legal system to support your argument. I can imagine the court proceedings now:

"The Church of Scientology has a recorded history of filing frivolous lawsuits, all of which is documented in this Wikipedia article."

"This only proves that Wikipedia is biased against scientology!"

"Your Honor, please review the references to this entry. Clearly no further citations are needed."


Although harassment in the form of lawsuits is much more effective against individuals than it is against a group.


Yes. But they may decide to suit the individuals involved.




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