I wonder if someone might be willing to help me out. I'm a manager of a county genealogy e-mail list, but not the typical list such as you find on Rootsweb. This is an incredibly busy group with a variety of member service and resources. Since we were founded in January of 2000, we've already posted almost 19,000 message to the list (a lot of mail and a lot of data). In this very active group we have large attached files coming over the list, as well as a members' only website with downloadable files and historical photos shared with other members. There is an amazing level of information shared within the group. And of course there is increased potential for problems with copyright issues. Recently we've been raising awareness of copyright issues. Several members have asked for a simple, clear-cut, lay explanation of "fair use" to use as a general rule of thumb. While I do understand some of this, I don't feel equipped to attempt to explain it. Nor can I find the right words to explain it. Would one of you with strong working knowledge of fair use be willing to offer me a simple, brief paragraph or two that I could share with the members of that list. I would sincerely appreciate any help I can get. Sincere thanks if anyone can help with this! Michael Allison