The trust Srila Prabhupada created for his books
On 29 May 1972, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada placed his books, and all rights in them, into the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. That trust is alive. Its ownership of his works has been confirmed by a California court, and it is restoring access to his original, unrevised editions.
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Ownership
The 1972 Trust owns the works
A 1998 judgment of the Los Angeles Superior Court confirmed and ratified ownership of the copyrights in the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust created on 29 May 1972, and found it a valid California religious trust.
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Continuity
The Trust is being reconstituted
Lawful trusteeship is being confirmed through the California courts, with the Attorney General served, so the Trust can act with authority no one need question.
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Mission
The original books, faithfully
The Trust's purpose is the faithful production and wide distribution of Srila Prabhupada's teachings — beginning with his original, unrevised editions.
"…gives and transfers all of my books and all property rights incidental thereto…"
— Trust Agreement of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 29 May 1972Why the original books?
The books Srila Prabhupada wrote, approved and distributed in his lifetime are the heart of his legacy. Honouring the settlor's intent means keeping those texts available exactly as he gave them. The Trust invites the community to take part — by ordering the original editions, or by applying for a licence to print and distribute them.