Former Scientology auditor Cyril Ronald Vosper published The Mind Benders in 1971 after being expelled from the organization in September 1968. The book used internal material and quotations from L. Ron Hubbard’s writings to criticize Scientology’s practices. The Church sued Vosper and a newspaper editor for breach of copyright and breach of confidence, seeking to restrict publication and discussion of its affairs.
The British courts rejected the Church’s claims. The Court of Appeal held that the book’s use of material qualified as fair dealing for criticism and was in the public interest, rejecting the Church’s appeal. During the litigation, a High Court judge was reported to have characterized the Church’s contempt applications as attempts to stifle criticism or inquiry. Vosper later alleged additional harassment, including the disappearance of a manuscript and a suspicious package incident, but those allegations are not independently established in the supplied account. The episode became an early legal setback for Scientology’s attempts to use intellectual-property and confidentiality claims against critics.
