Return "DolphinProject.org" to Ric O'Barry, and discontinue the use of his name, likeness and signature for fundraising.
The Issue
On Sept 30th, 2014, Ric O'Barry resigned from his position at Earth Island Institute's International Marine Mammal Project/Save Japan Dolphins (EII-IMMP). After 44-years of protecting dolphins, it was time to preserve his legacy and remain true to his roots, he believes the best way to do this is through a small grassroots organization with financial transparency.
Despite Mr. O'Barry's resignation, Earth Island Institute headed by Mr. David Phillips, continues to send out mass fundraising emails and update fundraising blogs using Ric O'Barry's name and likeness despite the fact that Ric O'Barry is no longer associated with Earth Island Institute.
Ric O'Barry has been "locked out" of his original website (DolphinProject.org) and mailing list. Earth Island Institute has refused to return the website that Ric O'Barry created back to him.
This means not only has Ric O'Barry not been able to maintain in-touch with his supporters while he is presently working in Taiji, Japan, but his supporters are unknowingly sending donations to Earth Island Institute falsely believing they are supporting Ric O'Barry's Cove Monitor team on the ground in Taiji.
We believe that it is wrong and unethical of Earth Island Institute to continue their attempts to raise money using Ric O'Barry's name, image, likeness, signature and previous website(s), including "DolphinProject.org" and associated social media profiles.
We would like to see Earth Island Institute restore the good faith behind their name and urge Mr. David Phillips to do the right thing and return registration of the domain name "DolphinProject.org" back to Ric O'Barry, return all funds that have been raised since Sept 30th, 2014 using his name to Ric O'Barry and agree to cease and desist all fundraising attempts using Ric O'Barry's name.
At the end of the day, Ric O'Barry and his team are doing what they always do - working to save dolphins in Japan and around the world. Earth Island Institute's fundraising under false pretense is killing marine mammals in Japan and around the globe, because the funds that Ric O'Barry's name, image, likeness and websites are raising are not being directed to Ric O'Barry's team.
Please support this petition and it will be delivered to Earth Island Institute along with CEO David Phillips in Berkeley, CA.
For those looking for Ric O'Barry's current website, please direct your browser to: www.DolphinProject.net
The Issue
On Sept 30th, 2014, Ric O'Barry resigned from his position at Earth Island Institute's International Marine Mammal Project/Save Japan Dolphins (EII-IMMP). After 44-years of protecting dolphins, it was time to preserve his legacy and remain true to his roots, he believes the best way to do this is through a small grassroots organization with financial transparency.
Despite Mr. O'Barry's resignation, Earth Island Institute headed by Mr. David Phillips, continues to send out mass fundraising emails and update fundraising blogs using Ric O'Barry's name and likeness despite the fact that Ric O'Barry is no longer associated with Earth Island Institute.
Ric O'Barry has been "locked out" of his original website (DolphinProject.org) and mailing list. Earth Island Institute has refused to return the website that Ric O'Barry created back to him.
This means not only has Ric O'Barry not been able to maintain in-touch with his supporters while he is presently working in Taiji, Japan, but his supporters are unknowingly sending donations to Earth Island Institute falsely believing they are supporting Ric O'Barry's Cove Monitor team on the ground in Taiji.
We believe that it is wrong and unethical of Earth Island Institute to continue their attempts to raise money using Ric O'Barry's name, image, likeness, signature and previous website(s), including "DolphinProject.org" and associated social media profiles.
We would like to see Earth Island Institute restore the good faith behind their name and urge Mr. David Phillips to do the right thing and return registration of the domain name "DolphinProject.org" back to Ric O'Barry, return all funds that have been raised since Sept 30th, 2014 using his name to Ric O'Barry and agree to cease and desist all fundraising attempts using Ric O'Barry's name.
At the end of the day, Ric O'Barry and his team are doing what they always do - working to save dolphins in Japan and around the world. Earth Island Institute's fundraising under false pretense is killing marine mammals in Japan and around the globe, because the funds that Ric O'Barry's name, image, likeness and websites are raising are not being directed to Ric O'Barry's team.
Please support this petition and it will be delivered to Earth Island Institute along with CEO David Phillips in Berkeley, CA.
For those looking for Ric O'Barry's current website, please direct your browser to: www.DolphinProject.net
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on January 13, 2015