March 20, 2024

Official Media Release from Sea Shepherd France 

The Paris Judicial Court dismisses the charges of Sea Shepherd Global and Geert Vons, condemning them to pay 25,000 euros to Sea Shepherd France.

Yesterday, March 19, the Paris Judicial Court issued a verdict that will delight all donors and supporters not only of Sea Shepherd France but of the entire Sea Shepherd movement, as it was created by Captain Paul Watson in 1977.

In April 2023 the 4 directors of Sea Shepherd Global (SSG) Alex Cornelissen, Peter Hammarstedt, Geert Vons and Jeff Hansen had initiated a lawsuit against Sea Shepherd France in front of the Paris Judicial Court demanding against the French organization demanding a ban on the use of the Sea Shepherd name and Sea Shepherd emblematic logos created by Captain Paul Watson in 1977. 

In addition to this ban on use, the four SSG directors demanded a fine of 200 euros per day for the violation, as well as the disclosure of all donations collected by Sea Shepherd France and all sales made by Sea Shepherd Boutique since December 13, 2022, the date of creation of Sea Shepherd Origins. 

SSG demanded, among other things, that Sea Shepherd France display its condemnation clearly on the home page of its website for 3 months.

Sea Shepherd France, founded in 2006 in Paris by Lamya Essemlali, that is 7 years before SSG, was accused by its four directors of sowing confusion in the minds of their “customers” and embezzling funds that should have been returned to SSG. 

The SSG complaint indeed states “commercial parasitism” of “counterfeit”, “denigration” and violation of copyright of Mr. Geert Vons who presents himself as the author of the two emblematic logos of the organization.

To put the context in which this procedure of aggression takes place in such a way that it can disrupt the general public, it should be recalled that a few months earlier, the four SSG directors, including the alleged author of the logos, had illegally evicted Captain Paul Watson and Lamya Essemlali from the Board of directors. Indeed, Paul Watson and Lamya Essemlali opposed the deviation of the original movement and the change of brand image orchestrated by the Four directors. 

Eager to manage the new big SSG patrons such as Allianz insurance or the Dutch lottery and concerned to maintain good relations with newly partner African governments, the four directors all placed in their positions by Paul Watson himself, had begun working towards his impeachment. A sneaky eviction strategy made possible by the trust that the Founder had placed on them was then put in place with the result being his illegal removal in August 2022 and then that of Lamya Essemlali in January 2023.

“When Alex Cornelissen, Peter Hammarstedt, Geert Vons and Jeff Hansen illegally removed Lamya Essemlali and myself from the board of Global, they thought we weren’t going to fight, and that the original Sea Shepherd would quickly be forgotten.” Two years later, we proved them wrong. Based on this court decision, we will continue to work to restore the integrity of the Sea Shepherd movement. ” – Captain Paul Watson.

“Sea Shepherd is a rare and precious tool, serving a cause greater than all of us.. A cause bigger than all of us. The original spirit of this rebellious, combative and courageous movement inspires and gives hope to thousands of people. For them and for the ocean, it is inconceivable to let it be held hostage by four men who damage its soul. I am happy that France is a land of resistance for the greatest sea defense movement” Lamya Essemlali

In short, what does the decision of the Paris Court say?

Judge rejects Geert Vons requests based on his alleged copyright.

The judge dismisses the allegations of counterfeit and states that under no circumstances SSG is able to demonstrate any authority or power allowing it to prohibit Sea Shepherd France and Sea Shepherd Boutique from using the Sea Shepherd brand.

Judge rejects the allegations of deceptive business practices and parasiticism.

Judge rejects defamation charges involving “enemy within”, “hostile OPA”, “disgraceful treason,” “pseudo artist,” “pseude activist,” etc… and believes that these words fall, consequently, under the law of July 29, 1881 on freedom of the press. He also believes that the statements emanating from Ms. Lamya Essemlali’s personal Facebook account could not be attributed to Sea Shepherd France.

Article 700 : 

The judge condemns in solidum the foundation Stitching Sea Shepherd Global and M. Gerrit Johannes Vons to pay the total sum of €25 449.20 to Sea Shepherd France, Sea Shepherd New Caledonia and Sea Shepherd Boutique.