Heide, As I understand it, if what is posted is data (facts) from research, the researcher did not create and does not own the facts, so can not copyright them, and anyone can insert the facts into their database without crediting the source, if they choose to do so. OTOH, direct quotes from material should be credited, and there may be legal implications if they are not. Even notes do not have to be credited if they are re-worded, as I understand it, though if they are not, how would a person know where to look if they wanted more info later? Carol At 04:02 PM 10/13/99 -0500, Heide Sciacca wrote: >Carol, >That is so true! I also wanted to mention that all previous messages with the >information can probably be found in the archives, so it can be found by >anyone. Like you said, once it's "out there", it's virtually impossible to >take >it back. My question is, if someone is using the information previously shared >by others, how can it be proved that copyright is being violated if the >information wasn't being protected when it was first disseminated? I >personally >stay on the safe side and try to have sources and some type of documention for >my information. >Heide >Carol C-H wrote: > > > At 06:19 AM 10/13/99 -0700, you wrote: > > >Four of my surnames, for which I administer lists, plus variants, have > > >major researchers who have in the past shared their information on BBS or > > >private mailing lists or email Some are planning to publish and do not > > >wish the information which they have formerly shared to be sent to the > > >current Rootsweb lists by third, or even fourth parties (who may not be > > >aware they are using someone else's research). > > > > > >Has anyone else had this situation come up and how have they handled it. > > Have had that situation; it has become a very common occurrence. They are > > out of luck. They shared the information, and it probably has been shared > > many times since - it may already be on lists, boards, CDs, online Gedcoms, > > and who knows what else. If they do not want the info to become public, > > they'd best not share the info. With anyone. > > > > Carol C-H <[email protected]> http://www2.netdoor.com/~cch/ > > > > ============================== > > RootsWeb.com now offers UNLIMITED Web space for FREE! > > Sign up today for RootsWeb's Freepages program: > > http://cgi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/acctform.cgi Carol C-H <[email protected]> http://www2.netdoor.com/~cch/