Bikram Yoga: Encyclopedia II - Bikram Yoga - Intellectual property controversy

Bikram Yoga - Intellectual property controversy

Bikram recently secured federal copyright registration under 17 U.S.C. Section 410 for his original work of authorship in his sequence of 26 postures (or asana) and 2 breathing exercises. Through registration of this work, the United States Copyright Office acknowledges Bikram's exclusive right to the distinct series of postures and breathing exercises comprising the sequence and Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class.

This development is controversial within the United States yoga community. Some practitioners object to the idea that Bikram can have exclusive control over a series of postures derived from traditional practices. Also, some object to the way Bikram conducts his business, and particularly to his stated plans to create a formal franchise of studios.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Intellectual property controversy", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki