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NOTICE! August 13, 2004 I am happy to report that there has been no incidents with the Napoleon Hill Foundation since this public notice was placed here two years ago. One day, I hope to remove this notice altogether to take away this stain of negativity on this front page. Unfortunately, we have to use this very public and negative letter to make it ABSOLUTELY clear, we have nothing to do with the Napoleon Hill Foundation. |
August 14, 2002 The Napoleon Hill Foundation, through its law firm, has contacted us through a certified letter. They have taken great objections to this site most notably the use of the terms "Napoleon Hill" and "mastermind". They claim that they have "monitored" this site and the confusion it has caused regarding Napoleon Hill and masterminds. That must have been some feat (and near full-time job) for some employee at the Foundation since this site has over 60 web pages and 20,000 messages. (Heck, I can barely keep up with all the new messages.) My estimate is that only 1% of the content here (200 messages/web pages) probably falls into that claim. I wonder how many people were "confused" by that 1% of messages. There will be a redesign, re-creation, and rebirthing of this site. Apparently, they think that you, the reader, will be "confused" by this website that it is associated with the Napoleon Hill Foundation. Instead of trying to work in a friendly, synergistic way, they have chosen (since that first letter nearly two years ago) to take an antagonistic approach with this site. A courtesy email has never once been sent. They should be happy that changes within this site are underway. I would like to say more of what I think and tell more of the story. All will be revealed soon after I make "improvements" to MMF. But for now, I apologize to our community members in advance for possible disruptions in service and content. Thank you for your continued support. And you can thank the Napoleon Hill Foundation for their "infinite wisdom" as keepers of the "Napoleon Hill" name. And no, they do not own the word "mastermind". It is in every English dictionary. So MasterMind Forums will remain MasterMind Forums. We will simply transform ourselves into something better than what the Foundation has, a sleepy, boring and elitist website. But hey, it looks as good as a slick brochure. Stay tuned for more information and changes within MasterMind Forums! MatthewC |
| In case
it wasn't immediately evidently, we
are making the following statements and announcements because the
Napoleon Hill Foundation appears to have a low view
of the intelligence of you, the reader, that you might get "confused"
with the content of this site. (Wait,
I better say that is my opinion, otherwise, they may want to send
me another letter for bad-mouthing them.) The MasterMind Forum(tm) is in no way officially associated with or endorsed by The Napoleon Hill Foundation. The MasterMind Forum(tm) is operated and managed independently by a private company not associated with The Napoleon Hill Foundation. (After what I found about how they operate and their so-called business philosophy, they clearly have a thing or two to learn about business.) The Napoleon Hill Foundation does not approve the use of the name "Napoleon Hill" used anywhere on this site. Any use of the name "Napoleon Hill" and the discussion of Napoleon Hill is not associated with, nor endorsed by The Napoleon Hill Foundation. (Napoleon Hill was a public figure, famous author, and a legitimate topic of public discussion. We have a right to continue discussing what we want and expressing our views on Napoleon Hill, his books, and even the Napoleon Hill Foundation itself!) The Napoleon Hill Foundation does not approve the use of the word "mastermind" anywhere on this site. They claim the word "mastermind" may cause "consumer confusion". Any use of the term "mastermind" and the discussion of masterminds is not associated with, nor endorsed by The Napoleon Hill Foundation. ("Mastermind" is a legitimate word in the public domain with several definitions and is listed in nearly all English dictionaries and thesauruses. In fact, there is a game of the same name. Perhaps, they need to contact the game makers also!) |
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