I am not a lawyer, but my layman's understanding is that there is a legal
principle in copyright called "appropriation." This  concept prohibits using
another's reputation, accomplishments, etc.--such as a picture of a famous
athlete--for profit without the athlete's  express permission. This protects
the athlete from having profiteers use his reputation to make money for
themselves.
Wonder if the principle of "appropriation" would apply to genealogical
research? If so, a person could sue a for-profit outfit such as Ancestry for
using someone else's "likeness" (genealogical work) for profit without
express permission of the researcher. I'm guessing that, in most cases,
this approach would have a better chance of success at protecting one's work
than copyright.

I'm off to see my lawyer....


----- Original Message -----
From: "nelhatch" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2004 2:15 PM
Subject: Re: One World Tree


> HATCHER website: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~nhatcher/faq.htm
> HATCHER DNA project: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~nhatcher/hatDNA.htm
> Researching: Cook, Hall, Hatcher, Miller, Shepherd, Timberman
> "Genealogy without Documentation is Nothing" - Paul Drake
>
> Janet Crain wrote:
> "Did you put your GED-COM on WorldConnect? Those trees are now being
linked
> to Ancestry as One World Trees. I am not crazy about this, but I have left
> my up as I hope to reach more people this way. I am not sure you have to
pay
> to see them on Ancestry."
>
> One World Tree is a subscription service which raises a question regarding
> WorldConnect trees "being linked" to Ancestry/OWT. The WorldConnect policy
> as described by Rootsweb states that WC contributions are the property of
> the submitter and is thus protected by copyright and that RW will not sell
> to anyone what does not belong to them.
>
> Nel Hatcher
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions
at
> http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
>
>
>
> _____________________________________________________
> This message scanned for viruses by CoreComm
>
>

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html