Board Chair Update 09-19-2020
Dwayne Townsend, Sa Bom Nim
Greetings Federation Members and Supporters,
I trust this finds you and your families in good health and spirits.
This year has presented many challenges to our nation, families, businesses, and schools. Guidelines and new restrictions have limited and changed our usual and comfortable ways of conducting our day to day lives. However, due to our Moo Do Philosophy, it has also been a year where we have strengthened our unity in new ways and continued to progress on important issues for our organization. Virtual clinics have brought us together for training and allowed us to reconnect with friends from around the country and the world. Virtual townhall meetings have allowed Dan members and studio owners to connect and discuss important issues confronting us as an organization. One important area we have made progress on is completing a new Trademark Licensing Agreement between the United States Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation and World Moo Duk Kwan.
This agreement is significant because it provides updated and clarified language regarding the terms of trademark use and protects the U.S. Federation’s exclusive rights to the trademarks in perpetuity.
During its September 2, 2020 meeting, the Board of Directors approved the agreement, and directed the Board Chair to execute it on behalf of U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation. In so doing, we have taken the important step of securing our unique identity for future generations.
To better understand and appreciate the significance of this agreement, it is important to consider our history and past steps taken to preserve our unique identity and the future of our art.
History
In 1975, our charter members began the process to establish the Federation and in 1976 the Federation and its charter were created. The purpose of the charter was to define and establish the new organization, United States Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation which would have the rights to assemble and promote Hwang Kee’s martial art system (tang soo do at that time) and his Moo Duk Kwan organization in the United States. While the charter had language in it regarding trademarks protection and use in the U.S., its primary focus was the creation of the Federation and promoting the art. In later years, the Founder expressed his wish that Soo Bahk Do become the primary martial art system the Federation would focus on preserving and that it would reflect that in its name as the United States Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation. In 1996, members approved the organization name change by restating its Charter.
Upon the founder’s passing, his son H.C. Hwang, the current Kwan Jang Nim, began the World Moo Duk Kwan, thus necessitating a need to clarify and restate the intellectual property agreement terms with the U.S. Federation and the new World Moo Duk Kwan organization.
Since its creation, the Federation has sought to promote Hwang Kee’s martial art systems (tang soo do and Soo Bahk Do) in the U.S., provide organizational structure for its members, and maintain and protect the use of the art and its unique identity via trademarks.
In 2012, the Federation initiated defense of our identity in a Landmark legal action against individuals seeking to use our identity for their own advantage. Thanks to strong member support, the Federation mounted an impervious defense of our unique identity and our exclusive rights to use our trademarks. On August 17, 2015, Federal court Judge Robert Mariani, ruled 100% in favor of the Federation on all counts of the legal defensive action, thus setting a precedent for all future challenges. This Landmark victory provided further protection of our identity in the United States.
The new Trademark Agreement with the World Moo Duk Kwan updates, clarifies and strengthens aspects of the licensing relationship between the World Moo Duk Kwan and the United States Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation. These improvements are based on lessons learned over the years from all our defensive actions taken against a multitude of infringers who all sought to fraudulently use our identity for their advantage. The Federation has prevailed in 100% of all cases protecting our unique identity and this new agreement helps assure our continued success for future generations.
Thank you Kwan Jang Nim and the Board of Directors for your leadership and providing a new agreement that will protect and ensure that the unique identity of the art and the Moo Duk Kwan are preserved in the U.S. in perpetuity.
New Board Director Appointment
The Kwan Jang Nim has appointed Cash Cooper Sa Bom Nim to serve as one of his five appointed Board Directors, replacing Bartolacci Sa Bom Nim. Bartolacci Sa Bom Nim has served the Board since 1981 and we are thankful for his years of dedication and support of the membership, ensuring the success of One Moo Duk Kwan. We are excited about Cooper Sa Bom Nim’s appointment and look forward to serving with him.
75th Anniversary Celebration
Registration is now open for the 75th Anniversary Celebration which will be held November 6-9!
To register for the 75th Anniversary Celebration visit: https://worldmoodukkwan.com/
1st USA Moo Duk Kwan Virtual Nationals
The Board and the TAC have been working together to provide an opportunity for members to connect via our first ever U.S. Virtual Nationals. We are excited to announce that the 2020 Virtual Nationals is scheduled for October 17!
For additional information and registration instructions when published visit: https://soobahkdo.us/festival/
Two Member Townhalls September 23-24
We will be conducting two townhalls via zoom video conferencing to discuss these events as well as address any questions or concerns that attendees may have. The first townhall will be Wednesday, September 23 at 8 PM Central followed by a second on Thursday, September 24 at 9 PM Central.
To participate in the townhalls, register here: https://soobahkdo.us/virtual/get-tickets/
It is our hope that by having two townhalls, more members will be available to attend one or the other.
We encourage you to join us as we prepare to close out the year with action!
Respectfully,
Dwayne Townsend
Board Chair
