This is a critical mistake, as the AA program of recovery is thoroughly spiritual in nature, based upon reliance on a higher power. Seeking mental or psychological approaches (instead of spiritual) discourages reliance on a higher power, has the real potential to prevent successful recovery, and can be fatal.
The official German translation, in addition to being seriously flawed, was priced nearly five times higher than the cost to produce it [2], further compromising its ability to carry the message.
In early 1996 the AABBSG registered with the European GSO. During a visit with the General Manager of the German GSO in February the AABBSG was informed that the German GSO had no objection to distribution of free big books. By this time the group had prepared and thoroughly reviewed their own translations of the basic text from the original multilith text (which had no copyright), and they paid a professional book manufacturer to print 10,000 copies. The group distributed these books at no charge, giving them away during the German convention, and paying shipping costs where face to face contacts were impossible. Soon a second printing was needed, and big book studies sprang up all over the country.
In April 1997 a criminal investigation of the AABBSG was conducted by the local authorities. Although the investigation produced no convictions some AA BBSG members (afraid of further consequences) signed agreements with AAeV to never again give away a big book, or else pay a $6,000 fine for each one to the German GSO. A few AABBSG members refused to sign this agreement and continued to give away copies of the original multilith text.
At this point the German GSO singled out one individual (Matthew) and added civil lawsuits to the ongoing criminal prosecution. [7] The AABBSG responded by printing copies of the first edition of the Big Book, for which the U.S. copyright had lapsed and was thought to have been forfeited by unrestricted publication of the multilith draft without copyright notice. These were also printed in languages other than German.
Although the printing was carried out by many AA members in more than one location, AAWS Inc. brought suit against one individual. More ominously, the actions of AAWS Inc. have been diametrically opposed to AA's principles--most notably Step 12, Tradition 5, and Concept XII, Warranty Five. In their zeal to win the lawsuit, AAWS Inc. testified to the German court that they were in no way bound by AA tradition, and indicated that the corporate bylaws of both AAWS, Inc. and the German GSO do not prohibit bringing lawsuits, in the expectation that the corporations sometimes must bring lawsuits in order to protect their assets.[9]
AAWS Inc. has also stated that they will continue to sue Matthew (and others) by all means possible. Although the German GSC delegates and relevant committees were asked to consider the topic and voted unanimously in 2002 that AAeV/German GSO is bound to adhere to AA Steps, Traditions, and Concepts, their President wrote a letter to the court that the German GSC had approved the lawsuits and he had no choice but to continue with litigation.
A translation of a recent letter can be found here.
Without Matthew's acceptance of these conditions, AAWS and AAeV have been unwilling to agree to any payment schedule, and have insisted that he must pay all fines, penalties, interest and principle of the judgment by July 20 or he will experience "Zwangsvollstreckung" (further law enforcement punishment).
Almost no financial support has come from fellow A.A. members. Matthew has personaly borrowed funds equivalent to nearly US$50,000 in order to fully meet AA Inc. attorney's demand--they will receive the money on July 20. This is the remainder (unpaid portion) of the initially demanded payments that are now required to be paid in full. Although AAWS financial demands will be met as required, the AAWS attorny Roth has informed Matthew in a recent letter that AAWS will now proceed with litigation/prosecution for "Schadensersatz" (punitive damages) which will likely result in considerably greater financial debts for Matthew.
2 It was (and still is) sold for 25DM, while the estimated cost was 5-6DM. In fact, it could be manufactured for 2DM, less than one-tenth of the current selling price.
3 Click here and here for copies of the translated material.
4 Click here for a copy of the license agreement (in Adobe Acrobat format).
5 Click here for a copy of the authorization.
6 Personal communication from Hans P. to Matthew.
7 In the lawsuit AAeV claimed they were going to translate and publish the pamphlets themselves, but six years later GSO translation has not yet started and publication is not scheduled. The service material is not available to the fellowship.
8 Damages were not specified at that time, but have been requested by the plaintiffs. Actual damages would have to be determined in a subsequent lawsuit.
9 The work in dispute "Alcoholics Anonymous," and exclusive marketing rights, have been defended by AAWS Inc. with very expensive lawsuits both in Mexico and Canada.
