Date: Fri, 19 May 1995 16:52:45 -0400 From: ssteele@eff.org (Shari Steele) IMPORTANT NOTICE: Effective immediately, all contributions to the Dennis Erlich Defense Fund should be made payable to: MORRISON & FOERSTER 345 California Street San Francisco, California 94104-2675 Telephone: (415) 677-7000 Facsimile: (415) 677-7522 Contact People: Carla Oakley and Katie Walsh Continue to indicate on your checks that the money is to be used for the Dennis Erlich Defense Fund. Over the past week, some concern has been raised regarding the Electronic Frontier Foundation's (EFF's) tax status and our maintenance of the Dennis Erlich Defense Fund. EFF never intended to create controversy around Mr. Erlich's fund and still believes that our decision to create it was within the legal parameters of our tax status. However, in order to avoid further confusion and to ensure the security of the fund, EFF has arranged to transfer its maintenance to Mr. Erlich's attorneys, the good folks at the law firm of Morrison & Foerster. EFF believes that Morrison & Foerster is better set up to handle such a fund. They are better able to handle wire transfers as well as international cheques. Since the fund proceeds are used to pay Mr. Erlich's legal expenses, sending the money directly to Morrison & Foerster expedites their arrival at their intended destination. A few people have inquired whether contributions to the fund are tax deductible. Contributions to the Dennis Erlich Defense Fund are *not* tax deductible, and we apologize if we failed to communicate this clearly. Contributors may consult their tax attorneys or advisors if they have more questions about this. The Electronic Frontier Foundation remains committed to protecting free speech on the Internet, and we will continue to work with all parties to the _Religious_Technology_Center_(RTC)_v._Netcom_On-line_Communication_ _Services_ lawsuit to reach a result that guarantees free speech. We are encouraged by recent advances by Helena Kobrin, legal counsel for RTC and Bridge Publications, Inc., (BPI) to mediate or otherwise settle this suit. EFF asks netizens to urge RTC and BPI to continue these discussions in an effort to find a nonlitigious way to resolve their concerns. Sincerely, Shari ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Shari Steele, Director of Legal Services ssteele@eff.org Electronic Frontier Foundation 202/861-7700 (voice) 1667 K Street, N.W., Suite 801 202/861-1258 (fax) Washington, DC 20006-1605 202/861-1224 (BBS)