FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

JZK, Inc. has filed a complaint, No. 3:14-cv-05410, and request for a temporary restraining order against the Evergreen Freedom Foundation (EFF) and Glen Morgan, EFF’s Property Rights Director, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma. JZK, Inc. did this to protect the proprietary video materials that Morgan and EFF have unlawfully disseminated. The case has been assigned to Judge Benjamin H. Settle with an initial hearing set for 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 21.

On May 6, 2014, Morgan submitted verbatim copies of JZK, Inc.’s proprietary video materials to the Thurston County Commissioners in violation of state and federal law. Morgan told the Commissioners that EFF was also disseminating the private videos to 3,200 other officials in the state.

Morgan and EFF have expressly refused to respect JZK, Inc. and JZ Knight’s private property and legally protected interests. This is a curious stance for an organization that purports to promote the protection of private property rights. Their website proclaims, “From works of art to loaves of bread, people produce the things because they are able to own and use resources. …The Freedom Foundation stands up for property rights and property owners in Washington State.”

JZK, Inc. welcomes the opportunity to resolve this matter short of litigation. But to do so, EFF and Mr. Morgan must be willing to respect JZK, Inc.’s private contracts and JZ Knight’s right to own and use her property as she sees fit.

The EFF website states, “Government exists to protect rights, including the rights to own and use property.” That government protection also extends to those with whom EFF disagrees.