Paul, Your timing for this subject is excellent. It's unfortunate that the more people involved with genealogy online, the more common it is to run into wannabe genealogists who either find it necessary to cheat --I suspect, don't know how to research-- are simply lazy, or are so arrogant they assume anything published is theirs. The best example I've run into lately of a "successful" copy-copy-wannabe has to do with my Virginia Grandmother. While checking out the website of a well-known genealogist, I came across some familiar words: "The following data is based in part on the genealogy notes of my grandmother, Julia Humes Bilyeu. " Yep, you guessed it. That's MY grandmother, and her only other grandchildren are not into genealogy. It is interesting that the webmaster of the site has a copyright statement prominently displayed; one which does not include the invitation for others to freely use the material for family research that many of us include on our own pages. What can I do about it? Laugh . . . and never again refer anyone to that researcher. Joanne ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Drake" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 8:23 AM Subject: [VA-ROOTS] using others' materials I have been asked many times generally about what writings of others it is OK for you to use. The question is a tedious one at best, however this site does an adequate job of explaining, and any of you who are writing should read it. My articles in Heritage Quest, in NGS Newsletter, and the explanations in my books also will assist. So, take a look at this, all the while remembering that there are NO prohibitions - no "thou shalt nots" - and no penalties set forth in the Fair Use statute, and the "illegality" of any "use" - and the damages suffered, if any - are questions to be determined by a court in proper session having to do with the accusation of unfair or improper use. Paul http://www.ipwatchdog.com/copyright.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html