Text Of Letter Sent To Yale's Licensing Program Director

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Mr. Donald Filer
Yale University
Associate Secretary of the University
Licensing Program Director
P.O. Box 208230
New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8230

Dear Mr. Filer,

I am a medical doctor and fitness advocate.  I am writing in reference to a weight loss program that is “Yale University endorsed.”

This weight loss program is promoted by Mr. Jorge Cruise and Dr. David L. Katz of Yale University School of Medicine.

The enclosed screen shot, which appears on the next page, was taken from: http://www.jorgecruise.com/home/index.php?page=HIW3.  It clearly demonstrates that Mr. Cruise’s program is “Yale University endorsed.”

In addition to writing the foreword for this book, Dr. Katz’s support also appears on-line.  “’The 3-Hour Diet is sensible and simple, practical and powerful.’ David L. Katz, M.D. Yale University School of Medicine” can be found at http://www.jorgecruise.com/home/index.php?page=HIW4.

Before writing, I read the “Commercial Use” section of the “Licensing Program” information at http://www.yale.edu/licensing/other.html.  Although it states, in part, that “Yale University does not endorse products or services. Therefore, permission will not be granted for use of the name or trademarks of the University in a manner that may be misunderstood as an endorsement,” Mr. Cruise’s/Dr. Katz’s website would seem to indicate a different policy as the name of the University is clearly used in a manner that can only be understood as an endorsement.

If license to use the name of the University was granted due to the involvement of a Yale University medical doctor in Mr. Cruise’s venture, then I understand how the rest of us, who neither attended nor are employed by Yale University, would be at a disadvantage in obtaining a Yale University endorsement.

However, if this is due to a change in policy not yet reflected on your website, then I would like to receive some information about the procedure for obtaining a Yale University endorsement similar to the one publicized worldwide by Mr. Cruise and Dr. Katz.

It is my belief, and I think I can demonstrate this to the satisfaction of whatever review body Yale University has in place for licensing endorsements, that the science which forms the basis of FitnessMed programs is substantially more “accurate” than the information I was able to find on Mr. Cruise’s website regarding the foundations of his and Dr. Katz’s program.

As it is possible to obtain a Yale University endorsement, since Mr. Cruise and Dr. Katz have, please send me the particulars including necessary documentation, costs, renewal fees, marketing data showing the value of the Yale University endorsement and any other relevant information.

Thank you for your time.  I look forward to receiving a Yale University endorsement application package.  Kindly mail it to the above address.