In August of 2017, InfoVaticana, a small Catholic news portal based in Madrid, Spain, was surprised to receive a letter from Baker & McKenzie, the second largest law firm in the world, demanding that InfoVaticana transfer its domain (www.infovaticana.com) to the Vatican Secretariat of State. The reason for the demand was that the Vatican alleges that it possesses exclusive property rights over the name of the physical center of the Catholic world. The letter stated that InfoVaticana had seven days to comply with this order and that failing to do so would result in an exceedingly expensive lawsuit.
InfoVaticana, which was launched in May of 2013, says that it is “a free and independent media that has the vocation to serve the Catholic Church and society.” It’s stated mission is to “deepen the denunciation of Christianophobia and the corruption that the Church uses, the rejection of the totalitarian impositions of the powerful LGBT lobby and the support of our brothers, the persecuted Christians.”
InfoVaticana has written articles critical of the homosexual influence in the Vatican, Pope Francis’s Amoris Laetitia, the Vatican’s scandalous handling of the Order of Malta, the provision of a medal to a radical pro-abortion politician, and many other concerns held by Catholics around the world.
In early 2017, InfoVaticana filed a trademark request for its name beside the Emblem of the Vatican State. It wasn’t long before InfoVaticana discovered that it could not trademark a national emblem, and so on March 27, 2017, it withdrew its trademark application and opted to trademark its name along with a more generic pair of crossed keys instead.
The trouble began two months later, when on May 15, InfoVaticana received a letter from Baker & McKenzie on behalf of the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The letter argued that the crossed keys “represent the symbolic emblem of the Christ Delivering Keys to St. Peter [and] are an integral part of the Emblem,” and when combined with the name “InfoVaticana,” the public may draw the “wrongful and misleading impression that the Website is officially linked or directly managed by the Holy See.” As such, the letter requests that InfoVaticana withdraw its trademark application and cease using the Emblem of the Vatican State and the combined image of InfoVaticana with the crossed keys.
In August of 2017, InfoVaticana received a second letter from Baker & McKenzie, this time demanding that in addition to no longer using the crossed keys with the name InfoVaticana, InfoVaticana actually cease using the name “InfoVaticana” at all and turn the website domain over to the Secretary of State. The letter argues that the crossed keys used in InfoVaticana’s application for its trademarked logo is a violation of the Vatican’s intellectual property in the form of “State Symbols.” Such argumentation would imply that any portion of the formal symbols representing Vatican City (the Cross, the keys, a tassel, a gold and white flag) are prohibited from use by any entity without express permission from the Vatican.
If this is actually the case, then the Vatican would need to pursue lawsuits against the following as well:
The Society of the Crossed Keys
But then the letter from Baker & McKenzie gets even more ridiculous. In addition to demanding that InfoVaticana refrain from using the crossed keys as a symbol of the website, the letter demands:
4) Immediately transfer in favor of the Secretary of State (or in favor of whom it designates), the domain name www.infovaticana.com.
Why? Because:
“the domain name infovaticana.com (the “Name of Infringing Domain”) incorporates the vocabulary “INFOVATICANA” that, as seen, induces the public to error about the nature and origin of the service offered by you.
In short, the described uses not authorized by the Secretary of State on the Website in the Name of the Infringing Domain and the way in which your Website and the business carried out by you are presented to the public constitute clear infractions of the State Symbols and other signs that designate the Vatican institution that the Secretary of State is not willing to tolerate.”
In other words, the argument is that (forgetting that InfoVaticana’s “about us” page clearly states that it is “a free and independent media” site) InfoVaticana gives the appearance that it is an officially sanctioned Vatican website (it does not) and so therefore must not only cease using any portion or imitation of official symbols of the Vatican State, but hand over the domain name as well.
This would be like the Federal Government of the United States telling USA Today that it must hand over its name and web domain to the US government because the use of “USA” is exclusive to the government. Perhaps, then, the state of New York should demand that the New York Times hand over its name and domain for the same reason. Same thing with America Magazine.
In response to the letter, InfoVaticana enlisted the aid of a legal team who provided a compromise to Baker & McKenzie, proposing that InfoVaticana cease to use the crossed keys in its logo, as well as any other image that may correspond to official emblems of the Holy See. The proposal was not a concession of any wrong-doing, but an act of good faith and good will in a desire to avoid causing confusion or the impression that InfoVaticana was in any way involved with the Vatican State.
Baker & McKenzie’s response was an emphatic refusal to negotiate, reiterating the demand that the domain name must be transferred to the Vatican Secretary of State.
But that’s not even the worst of it.
The law firm Cardinal Parolin hired to handle the case, Baker & McKenzie, is well known for the promotion of homosexuality, and even represented the abortion giant, Planned Parenthood.
In August of last year, Baker & McKenzie’s office in Belfast, Ireland partnered with the homosexual group “Cara-Friend” to fund its “LGBTQ+ Awareness Teacher Training program.” James Richards, the Executive Director of Baker & McKenzie’s Belfast office said:
“We believe that no-one should be put at a disadvantage, professionally, financially or socially, on the basis of who they are. Here in Belfast, we set up our LGBT network just over a year ago and we are thrilled to be sponsoring Cara-Friend’s Awareness Teacher programme, to help influence our future leaders to respect and support all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Northern Ireland.”
In September of last year, Baker & McKenzie’s London office implemented “Gender Transition Guidelines.” Following the implementation of the Firm’s “North America Gender Transition and Identity Guidelines,” the London Office guidelines are intended to:
“support transitioning employees and ensure that the Firm, and all relevant managers and employees, support individuals through their transition. This includes, for example, a Workplace Transition Plan which provides a framework for the transitioning individual, their line manager and HR to follow.”
In December of 2017, Baker & McKenzie advised the homosexual group called “Stonewall” as it fought against what it called an “ultra-orthodox Charedi Jewish Community.” Baker & McKenzie’s statement says that the case was about
“the right of a transgender woman to have direct contact with her children who belong to the ultra-orthodox Charedi Jewish Community. The case raised the questions of human rights and discrimination, in evaluating a child’s welfare.”
In 2016, Baker & McKenzie was named “Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign.
In July of 2017, Baker & McKenzie was named “One of Stonewall’s Top Global Employers 2017.”
On top of this, in 1991, Baker & McKenzie represented Planned Parenthood in the case “Planned Parenthood V. Wilson.” Timothy Wilson was a pro-life activist in this case.
It remains to be seen what further action the Vatican will take against InfoVaticana. InfoVaticana (rightfully) refuses to hand over the domain name of their website, and the Vatican Secretary of State (Cardinal Parolin) is threatening to engage in a protracted legal battle, which will inevitably ruin InfoVaticana financially. Baker & McKenzie’s specious arguments about the use of crossed keys and the word “Vatican” in the name “InfoVaticana” likely don’t have the strength to win in court, but battles such as these tend to more about attrition than victory. And all the while, a great enemy of the Catholic Church will swell with Catholic funding, because some dissident clericalists in the Curia are annoyed by the criticisms of a single voice.
The abomination is standing on holy ground. This is not going to last much longer.
Best comment of all Carlos! We o the true faith relatively few we are must prepare for the terrible chastizement about to descend on us with prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, confession The Rosary Our Lady The Holy Eucharist fasting and penance
Carlos that is the best comment yet, we need to prepare for the great chastisement that is coming by prayer before the Blessed Sacrament the Rosary the Holy Eucharist fasting and penance This needs to be constantly reiterated
Thank you, Fr Guardiola. I have written extensively on my website about “keeping on the watch” and even completed a book recently about certain forgotten aspects of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I sense that the conquest of Mexico by Cortez was a scale model of the times we are living. The human sacrifices of the Aztecs prefigure today’s abortions. The ritual homosexuality of their priests reminds us of this dreadful plague we’re going through, The awful oppression of the people through taxation and terror reminds me of the present usury and terrorism. Our Lady appeared to St Juan Diego and changed that, triggering the largest conversion since the days of the Roman Empire at a time when the Church in Europe was going through the crisis of the German Reformation. I believe Our Lady will do the same soon but on a global scale. I believe it is very likely we will see the Signum Magnum of Apocalypse 12 in our lifetime.
Book: Guadalupe: A River of Light
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079K53C5L
1, You must come into court with clean hands. The official church’s hands are diseased, smarmy, dirty, filthy. Their own ordained priests, monsignors, bishops and cardinals have besmirched and ruined the church’s image in Italy, in Europe and in the entire world. If anything, the word “Vatican” brings immediately to mind homosexual cocaine orgies with priests and male prostitutes in the Vatican apartments, not to mention many many more scandalous actions that have been publicized involving the hierarchy and the lowerarchy, these actions including not only consensual orgies but the abuse by pederasts and pedophiles and perverts, by those in and of the Vatican, around the world.
2. Others have been using crossed keys and the word “Vatican” for decades. This horse left the trademark corral years ago, and current-day Vatican mafia cannot get it back in. With knowledge of this prior to filing suit, it is clear that this suit was known to be a loser from the start.
3. By the very principles and admission in Amoris Laetitia, by the man now wearing papal white, the church has taken the public position that those using the word “Vatican” have done nothing wrong, that God’s mercy provides them with a “Get out of this lawsuit free” card, and that no one should JUDGE those using the word “Vatican.” These public admissions that those using the word “Vatican” have done nothing wrong and are not to be judged are additional reasons that these church mafiosa hierarchs are in this court with unclean, sewer-stench hands.
The lawsuit is baseless and frivolous. The church now has some more victims to whom it must pay – and it has already paid billion$s from its victim funds [i.e. the widow’s mites and the money of the faithful]. Hope there are some millions left.
Guy McClung, Texas
Considering.The homosexual Lutheran and Communion for those living in sin promoting agenda of Sparando who loves social Doctrine red China perhaps it is the Vatican itself that should loose the trademark in.Court… … Vatican is Promoting the likes of Radcliffe , Roisica ,Amer. Mgz. Martin and sorry excuses for bishops in Cocopalmeiro and staff orgies at the Vatican. Then there is ,Paglia homosexual art in cathedrals plus German and Austria bishops promoting homosexual and living in sin unions . Perhaps the Vatican should stop claiming it is anything.other than a rump cino scarcely Roman or Catholic Church .
If Fr. James Martin (S.J., of course) snatched the emblems of Vatican City and nailed them to cross-beams of his homosexual bridges would Cardinal Parolin object and sic the hounds of Baker & McKenzie on his trail; not only to prohibit their use, but to tear down the ‘content/ the ministry’ of his gay-timbered bridge building?
Doubt.
Who do we confess to if our parish priest is pro-Francis?
The smoke of Satan is in the Church and we will pay a heavy price.
The cross for us this Easter will be to see these heretics say Mass – what an affront to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ !
In effect that is exactly what Martin has done.
Just FYI, I refuse to refer to the man as fr. as he has no legitimate claim to the classic Catholic understanding of a priest’s “representation” of Christ’s Father (and our only true Father).
This, out of every nefarious, diabolical, sneaking, creeping, scummy snake-like thing coming out of the so-called church of today, has taken my breath away. This is out and out Communism. We think it’s been bad so far? We better hold onto more than our hats.
Will the “Vatican” agents now go after the worldwide Anglican Catholic Church because it uses the crossed keys as its emblem?
Because the whole FrancisMercy™ thing can only be taken so far. At some point it’s time to sic your goons on your enemies. Right, Jorge?
The website is: http://www.infovaticana.COM (which clearly indicates commerce)
It is not: http://www.infovaticana.VA or http://www.infovaticana.CATHOLIC
Obviously, there are some other motives here.
You forgot about the news site “Inside the Vatican” (insidethevatican.com) published by Robert Moynihan. That’s been around quite some time, and yet the “V-n” (I dare not use the protected word) has never gone after them. That failure alone would ordinarily cause this attempt to fail in court.
I agree. A good point and a good legal lever.
“Baker & McKenzie’s specious arguments about the use of crossed keys and the word “Vatican” in the name “InfoVaticana” likely don’t have the strength to win in court, but battles such as these tend to more about attrition than victory.”
Based on several years of experience in the field of trademarks, this is in my view very likely not the case.
First, the laws applied are likely either the spanish or the european; and at least for the latter i know that having “Infovatican” or “Vaticaninfo” is very likely a lost cause against someone having the right to “Vatican”.
And at least for the latter there are even some cases where the one holding the older right could force someone using a similar domain name to give up that domain; but there is to little info to say something definite about present case.
Also, the reaction of the law firm vaticaninfo hired indicates they see some chance to loose; otherwise they would not try to make a deal so early.
Furthermore, lawyer costs in Europe are usually lower than in US and the proceedings before trademark office are rather cheap, so currently that is not yet a battle about ruining the other side.
Do not conclude from US to rest of the world in legal matters.
Good, the homosexual hierarchy continues to reveal itself and many more Catholics will only wake up and realise it’s a counterfeit church that has control for now.
I would like to add one more small voice – my own – to those opposing what Cardinal Parolin and Baker & McKenzie and their demonic allies are trying to do.
May God have mercy on this pope.
Cassandra.
I agree. A good point and a good legal lever.
Horrible. The Thomas More Law Center in the US is very successful with such suits. Don’t know if they do European legal atrocities. Satan’s smoke is now a flaming furnace in the Vatican.
Thanks for sharing this article all people
My morning prayer:
Lord, lift up those who teach the truth with clarity and charity,
clear up muddled teaching,
and remove from influence those who would lead Your flock astray.
Thank you very much Miss,Liz
El horror comenzó por Juan 23 y culminando con bergoglio la falsa misa de Pablo vi masones liderando la iglesia ecumenica falsa que mas se puede esperar las naciones dejaron de ser verdaderos católicos para ser protestantes paganos apóstatas y herejes y cismaticos
I was baptized Catholic and most of us have decades ago and probably validly. For that reason, I object to The True Church being replaced via Vatican 2 or this scandal. It is here and always will be here and I am in it and will remain in it and I don’t mean by a schismatic Catholic group. If this is a test, how can I excuse myself by joining The Orthodox or some remnant group? I ask the same if this is a chastisement for our sins. This is a cosmetic change that can be reversed. We will just have to inform, inform, inform and live a right Catholic-Christian life (the nomination; not a denomination). This includes watching we don’t fall into uncharitable language, especially about those hellbound souls with holy orders, and Oh, boy am I so ever tempted, if I haven’t screwed up already! We have to be in board and ready when the Barque of Peter is righted after dumping some ballast–that is, if the chastisement doesn’t take us first. It will be God’s love, because those Heavenbound will be living in the most profound way, the Hellbound will have less “Hell to pay”, and those in Limbo will still live hapily ever after. Keep the faith! Pray for the sick souls of the clergy and that we witstand the test, because I know I have done some hellworthy sins in my life (oh, and pray for those who commit mortal sins thinking it’s ok if not stealing a lot and from vulnerable people, raping or murdering)!
In case my original message didn’t post: Keep the faith! This is only a test!