National Credit Union Foundation Sued for Copyright Violations

A federal lawsuit accuses the National Credit Union Foundation of alleged copyright infringement and digital copyright law violations of a poverty simulation product owned by the Missouri Community Action Network, a Jefferson City-based non-profit organization that serves and advocates for low-income families.

Gigi Hyland, executive director of Madison, Wis.-based NCUF, declined comment, citing the foundation’s policy that prohibits her from publicly discussing pending litigation.

Filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City in June, MCAN’s lawsuit said it purchased the copyright and all other rights to a welfare simulation kit product, Community Action Poverty Simulation, or CAPS. The program simulates the circumstances of different type of families who live in poverty, which enables participants to experience the harsh financial challenges the families face and what steps they may take to address these problems. MCAN said the kit has been used by corporations, customer service groups, educators, religious congregations, community organizations, elected officials, health care professionals and social service agencies.