Use of information from other sources is alright so long as it is a limited amount. This is what is known as "fair use." Fair use is a part of the copyright code. (See my discussion on fair use at http://www.rootsweb.com/~mikegoad/html/copyright9.htm ) Proper citation is also important and adds credibility to your material. Unfortunately, much of the material found on the internet does not have any sort of documentation of source. Use of material developed by others without giving them credit is called plagiarism. While plagiarism is NOT illegal, some, especially those in academia, consider it to be highly unethical. (Please see my page on plagiarism http://www.rootsweb.com/~mikegoad/html/copyright10.htm ) (Plagiarism is covered under many university and college codes of conduct.) Mike Goad P.S. I personally include material found on the internet, even if un-sourced. I DO make sure that I document the web page, date, and as much information as is available At 02:47 PM 5/2/00 +0000, [email protected] wrote: >Hi, >I am new to the list so please excuse me if this a stupid >question. I have my genealogy data in my FTW database. >In the notes section I have added information that I have >found in various reference books, periodicals, and family >genealogies. I have also cut and pasted sections of >genealogies and things from other web sites. I have >listed the source of this information in my notes section >right along with the information. If I have this >information in the notes section of of my web pages >(GedPage) is that illegal? > > >==== COPYRIGHT Mailing List ==== >Threaded archives at >http://archiver.rootsweb.com/COPYRIGHT-L/ > >============================== >Free Web space. ANY amount. ANY subject. >RootsWeb's Freepages put you in touch with millions. >http://cgi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/acctform.cgi