Here is the letter I sent to Tripod this morning. For those of you who have information copied from your web site and would like to report this to Tripod also, the email addy to do so is <abuse@tripod.com>. Also anyone having their files copied from the archives, please feel free to voice your opinion to Tripod on this matter. Lygia >Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 07:24:21 -0500 >To: abuse@tripod.com >From: Lygia Cutts <Cuttstree@net1inc.net> >Subject: Abuse - Copyright violation > >Dear Tripod, > >My name is Lygia D. Cutts and I am the file manager for the ALGENWEB Archives located at >http://www.rootsweb.com/~algwarch/alfiles.htm > >Last week on Thurs. May 6, 1999, a website located on the Tripod server was brought to my attention. It appears that the webmaster of Arthur's Attic has completely ignored the the copyright notices posted on the ALGENWEB Archives Table of Contents page and on each of the files located within the archives and has copied several files and posted them to his website. He has deleted the copyright and USGENWEB notice and submitters names and information. Our submitters retain the copyrights to their hard work and are free to have their information posted and published to other sites with their permission, but I have received several emails from various submitters whose files were used and they did not give permission for their hard work to be posted to this web site. One of the files used was one of my own and I know I have NOT gave permission for the information to be used. > >I wrote to the webmaster of Arthur's Attic >http://members.tripod.com/ArthursAttic/genealogy.htm > >at <ArthursAttic@hotmail.com> asking him to please remove the files and insisted that he get permission from each of the submitters to post their information and to please supply me with a copy of their written permission on Thurs. May 6, 1999. I have had no response from him. Since that time I have consulted with a legal representative and he has agreed to step in and help handle this matter if necessary. I am hoping that it will not come to that. All we are asking is that he remove the files until he receives permission to post the information and supply me with a copy of the written permission and/or link to the files. > >The goal of the ALGENWEB Archives is to supply free genealogical information on the web. This project is strictly ran by volunteers. All information located within the archives is contributed by researchers who want to share their information. Yes, they are happy to share their information, but they also would like to have credit given where credit is due. They also have the right to say where their information is posted. > >You help in resolving this matter quickly and without further incidence would be greatly appreciated. Below is a copy of a letter emailed to him this morning which also includes the letter of May 6, 1999. > >"Dear Sir: >I am once again writing to you on behalf on the ALGENWEB ARCHIVES in regards to the copied files posted on your web site. Since I have not received any response to my letter of Thurs., May 6, 1999. I have no choice but to contact Tripod on this matter. I have already contacted a legal representative and he has agreed to help with this matter if necessary. Please find below a copy of my email of May 6, 1999 > >"Dear Sir, > Upon inspecting your web site. I have come to the realization that almost all of the information you have posted on AL at your web site was copied from the ALGENWEB ARCHIVES. Upon receiving several emails from my submitters, I know they did not give their permission for you to copy this information and post it. Also no credit was given to these submitters including myself (you have copied my information also). You have clearly ignored the copyright notice posted on the TOC page and on each file as written below: > >"All materials contained on these pages are furnished for the free use of those engaged researching their family origins. Any commercial use, > or, electronic publishing on another site without the consent of the host/author of these pages is prohibited. All images used on these pages > were obtained from sources permitting free distribution, or generated by the author, and are subject to the same restrictions/permissions. All > persons contributing material for posting on these pages does so in recognition of their free, non-commercial distribution, and further, is > responsible to assure that no copyright is violated by their submission. " > >AND > >"USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy >of providing free information on the Internet, this data >may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this >message remains on all copied material. These electronic >pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or >other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial >individuals and libraries is encouraged." > >I must ask that you remove the files that you have copied from the ALGENWEB Archives immediately. If you would like to link to these files feel free to do so, if you like to upload this information to your website, I must insist that you contact each submitter individually and gain their permission in writing before posting their information to your site. If you have already gained permission from these submitters, please supply me with a copy of their letter of permission. > >Thank you for your prompt actions in removing this material from your web site. > >Lygia Dawkins Cutts >AL File Manager ALGENWEB ARCHIVES" > > >Once again, I would like to thank you for immediate help in resolving this matter. > > Lygia Dawkins Cutts 881 Weaver Road Brewton, AL 36426 Cuttstree@Net1inc.net Lygia's Genealogy Page http://users.net1inc.net/cuttstree/index.htm Southwest AL Genealogy Surname Registry http://members.tripod.com/~lygia/index-1.html ALGenWeb - AL File Manager http://www.rootsweb.com/~algwarch/alfiles.htm ALGenWeb - Escambia County http://users.net1inc.net/cuttstree/escambia/gendex.html ALGenWeb - Lamar County http://www.rootsweb.com/~allamar/lamar.htm ALGenWeb - Conecuh County http://www.rootsweb.com/~alconecu/conecco.html Lygia's Clogging Page http://users.net1inc.net/cuttstree/clog.htm