|
Judge Allows Manufacture of Joseph Smith Ring
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- Judge Anthony Quinn, of the 3rd District
Court, issued a decision to dismiss the case of an Orem man who
attempted to prevent Ringmasters LLC of Ogden from producing and
marketing replicas of a ring that was worn by the prophet Joseph
Smith. Erwin "Buddy" Youngreen filed a lawsuit against the jeweler in
October and accused him of conspiring with Allan R. Baird and David
Lewis of making 300 unauthorized replicas for a Sandy, Utah ward of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"If this ring is the ring, and Buddy wanted to sell it, he could sell
it," Fonda said. "But he doesnt' have the right to preclude anyone
from making reproductions of the ring any more than I can prevent
people from making reproductions of the Statue of Liberty and selling
them," said David Fonda, Ringmasters attorney. He argued Youngreen
could not regulate reproduction because he had no copyright on the
smooth gold band with an oval engraved on the top. Royalties were
intially paid by the jeweler to Youngreen for the right to distribute
the replications.
Youngreen claims a member of the late prophet's family entrusted the
ring to him years ago. Smith is known to have worn a ring, which he
used to illustrate a main doctrine of Mormonism during an April 7,
1844, speech known as the King Follett Discourse. "I take my ring
from my finger," Smith said, "and liken it unto the mind of man, the
immortal spirit, because it has no beginning."
"Mr. Youngreen may own the actual ring that Joseph Smith wore,
however, that does not give him the right to prevent others from
making or selling similar rings," Fonda said. "The ring's design is
believed to be public domain," he added. Replicas of the ring are
sold in Utah stores and on the Internet. Seagull Book and Tape in
Salt Lake City said the rings can range from $80 for a woman's
sterling silver band to $400 for a 14karat gold men's band.
Sources:
Ogden Firm Wins Smith Rings Suit
Salt Lake Tribune 26Jan02 B2
By Elizabeth Neff: Salt Lake Tribune
Reproduction of Ring Believed Worn by Joseph Smith Results in Suit
Salt Lake Tribune 19Oct01 B4
By Elizabeth Neff: Salt Lake Tribune
Lawsuit erupts over Smith ring
Deseret News 19Oct01 B4
By Linda Thomson: Deseret News staff writer
Jeweler Claims Duplicates Of Ring Within Its Rights
Salt Lake Tribune 27Oct01 B2
By Elizabeth Neff: Salt Lake Tribune
|
