Help: Living foods copyright issue

I’ve seen this letter in no less than 3 raw foods sites today – it appears that Brenda needs help with this one!

An open letter to the Raw and Living Foods Movement by Brenda Cobb, author, and founder of Living Foods Institute

I am writing you to ask for your help in reference to a lawsuit that the Ann Wigmore Foundation, Inc. (New Mexico and Puerto Rico) has filed against me for using the terms “living foods” and “living foods lifestyle” and for teaching information about “living foods” and the “living foods lifestyle.” They claim that the terms or phrases “living foods” and “the living foods lifestyle” are their property with a registered trademark and only they have the right to use them.

My first book is called “The Living Foods Lifestyle.” It is my story of how I healed breast and cervical cancer using the principles of this healthy lifestyle. I was trained by Shu Chen in February 1999, then director of the Ann Wigmore Institute in New Mexico, who has since resigned. Shu encouraged me to teach what I learned from her and told me that it was Ann Wigmore’s dream that many people would learn about this lifestyle and would go on to teach others. I have been in touch with Shu about this lawsuit and she is being very supportive of me, and does not agree with this suit. She has not been associated with the Ann Wigmore Foundation since December, 1999, and has recently opened her own living foods educational center in New Mexico.

The Ann Wigmore Foundation apparently trademarked the terms “living foods” and “living foods lifestyle” in 1992 and was cancelled February 22, 1999, before being re-registered in 2004. They let the trademark expire in 1999 and did not reinstate it until 2004. When I did research for my book title this did not come up.

My attorneys are working on this case now and have told me that since there are so many other people using these terms and words and teaching about living foods that we are in need of emails or letters to support that these words have become commonplace among us. I would appreciate it so much if you would send me a letter in support of the fact that hundreds of teachers, writers, and leaders in this raw and living foods movement use these terms, including yourself, if you do, and that you do not agree that the Ann Wigmore people or any one person or group should own the rights to these words or any similar words or phrases exclusively.

The more supportive letters received from you the better it will help this case. Dr. Gabriel Cousens sent me a letter of support and in it he says, “If the Ann Wigmore Institute wins a claim to ‘living foods’ and ‘living foods lifestyle’ there will be many additional lawsuits to follow.”

I believe that there is always a blessing in every situation and even though this lawsuit is extremely stressful for me I believe it will have a positive result for the greater good of all. This is, of course, a concern to me because what I would like to see is unification among those of us who are teaching this way of living and eating, and I would like to see this suit resolved peacefully in a spirit of love and harmony.

Please help me now so that we can put a stop to this suit without going to court, and hopefully avoid future lawsuits against other advocates of the raw and living foods lifestyle. My attorneys say that if the Ann Wigmore Foundation were to win this suit, then there will be many other suits to follow. I need as many letters and emails from the leaders, writers and teachers in this movement as possible. Time is of the essence and we must act on this quickly. We must respond by May 1 to the suit, so I need your letters by April 25, 2006.

I know that all of you are very busy, but if you would please take a few moments to draft a letter to me by email and then send me a hard copy also, I will be most grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Brenda Cobb
Founder of Living Foods Institute
560 Elmwood Drive
Atlanta, GA 30306
Brenda@livingfoodsinstitute.com
www.livingfoodsinstitute.com
Direct office line: 404-607-1816
Cell: 404-625-1956

Thank You For Your Support!