Church of Scientology

The Church of Scientology is a new religious movement that was founded by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard as an organization dedicated to the practice of Scientology, an "applied religious philosophy" formulated by Hubbard.

Religious Technology Center (RTC)

Around 1980, all of the Church's intellectual property was transferred to a newly formed entity called the Religious Technology Center (RTC) which, according to its own publicity, exists solely to safeguard and control the use of Scientology's writings (or "advanced technology", as its internal documents and scriptures are termed). However, the RTC is also believed to be the financial hub and international headquarters of the entire worldwide organization.

Related Topics:
1980 - Intellectual property

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The RTC employs a small army of lawyers and has vigorously pursued other individuals and groups who are deemed to be a threat to Scientology. This has included breakaway Scientologists who have tried to practice Scientology outside the central church and critics, as well as numerous government and media organizations. This has helped to maintain Scientology's reputation for litigiousness (see Scientology and the legal system).

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