The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) has initiated litigation in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Benevolence Exam Tutoring Center located in Flushing, New York, Chang Liu, ten identified individuals, and other yet to be identified “John Doe” defendants, alleging copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract and other claims arising out of the theft and sale of questions from the FSMTB Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx).
FSMTB monitors websites, review courses and educational programs to protect the integrity of the MBLEx and the licensure process, as well as the public served through the regulation of the profession. Through its due diligence, FSMTB discovered an apparent exam item harvesting scheme operated by the tutoring center and its principals and has initiated the referenced litigation. On January 6, 2017, the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York granted FSMTB a seizure and impoundment order, permitting FSMTB to seize technology and documentation potentially related to the scheme. This seizure order was executed on January 18, 2017, and voluminous documentary and electronic materials were obtained and are now under examination to determine the extent of the damage.
The integrity of the examination program and the licensure process must be protected and FSMTB plans to vigorously pursue persons and entities found to violate the legal rights of the Federation. Questions regarding this litigation should be directed to the FSMTB Executive Director.