One really does not need to register a copyright although there are benefits. 'The Copyright Act of 1976 made it substantially easier for an author to obtain and maintain copyright in his or her creative works. Today, copyright subsists the moment an original work of authorship is fixed in a tangible form--it need not be registered with the Copyright Office or published with notice to obtain protection. While registration of claims to copyright with the Copyright Office is encouraged and provides important benefits to copyright holders, it is not required as a condition to copyright protection. ' [emphasis added] The copyright web site says the same thing _http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html_ (http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html) Also on this site is a clarification: 'The use of a copyright notice is no longer required under U. S. law, although it is often beneficial. Because prior law did contain such a requirement, however, the use of notice is still relevant to the copyright status of older works.'

List, Now posted are transcriptions of sample case files for attachment, divorce, debt, petition to sell real estate, scire facias. http://www.compu-type.net/rengen/stclair/stchome.htm (may have to copy/paste; refresh your browser) Diane StClairCoord@compu-type.net

In a message dated 5/3/2005 12:57:59 A.M. Central Standard Time, GeoFiles@aol.com writes: I think your all trying to make something big out of copyright law. For myself I don't think anything "big" is being made out of it - this is a law we should all respect. The problem as I would see it is when someone comes along, copies 50% or all of your publication and then puts it in THEIR book, making people think they did all that work. That's not only illegal but downright rude in my estimation. I, too, have always given my work out freely, and it has been used by others without credit. Personally, I don't care, as long as the info gets out there. And part of the original question was when you can copy a book that is no longer under copyright and/or the author cannot be located for permission. Very valid points to ask.

the point is....... The U.S. Copyright Office is seeking opinions on how to proceed on a VERY specific area of copyrights...... please focus your thoughts on "Orphan Works" and follow the procedures at http://www.copyright.gov/orphan/ to send your opinions to them. I think its a wonderful opportunity to be heard, but remember they are only asking about a specific area. The rest of the copyright laws are not in question. You have to read the web link above to narrow down what is in question. Linda :o) On May 3, 2005, at 8:15 AM, Lsnehring@aol.com wrote: > > In a message dated 5/3/2005 12:57:59 A.M. Central Standard Time, > GeoFiles@aol.com writes: > > I think your all trying to make something big out of copyright law. > For > myself > > > I don't think anything "big" is being made out of it - this is a law we > should all respect. The problem as I would see it is when someone > comes along, > copies 50% or all of your publication and then puts it in THEIR book, > making > people think they did all that work. > > That's not only illegal but downright rude in my estimation. I, too, > have > always given my work out freely, and it has been used by others > without credit. > Personally, I don't care, as long as the info gets out there. > > And part of the original question was when you can copy a book that is > no > longer under copyright and/or the author cannot be located for > permission. Very > valid points to ask. >

I think your all trying to make something big out of copyright law. For myself, I have over four hundred photographs on my web site and some of them were taken without permission from other web sites. Simply said, I welcome some distant cousin contacting me for posting a photograph on their branch of the family. Moreover, the same goes for something written about my relatives in a newspaper, book and etc. Anyway, the way in which copyright protection is secured is frequently misunderstood. Therein, Copyright protection is available for all unpublished works, regardless of the nationality or domicile of the author. Note: "Copies" are any material objects from which a work can be read or visually perceived either directly or with the aid of a machine or device, such as books, manuscripts, sheet music, film, videotape, or microfilm. Moreover, if a work is prepared over a period of time, the part of the work that is fixed on a particular date constitutes the created work as of that date. Published works are copyright protected, if you met the conditions by the date of first publication, and by one or more of the authors being a national or domiciliary of the United States. Copyright protects "original works of authorship" that are fixed in a tangible form of expression. The fixation need not be directly perceptible so long as it may be communicated with the aid of a machine or device. Copyrightable works include the following categories: (1) literary works; (2) musical works, including any accompanying words (3) dramatic works, including any accompanying music (4) pantomimes and choreographic works (5) pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works (6) motion pictures and other audiovisual works (7) sound recordings (8) architectural works Furthermore, the 1976 Copyright Act defines publication as follows: "Publication" is the distribution of copies or phonorecords of a work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending. The offering to distribute copies to a group of persons for purposes of further distribution, public performance, or public display constitutes publication. A public performance or display of a work does not of itself constitute publication. 1. The symbol © (the letter C in a circle), or the word "Copyright," or the abbreviation "Copr."; and; 2. The year of first publication of the work. In the case of compilations or derivative works incorporating previously published material, the year date of first publication of the compilation or derivative work is sufficient. The year date may be omitted where a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work, with accompanying textual matter, if any, is reproduced in or on greeting cards, postcards, stationery, jewelry, dolls, toys, or any useful article; and; 3. The name of the owner of copyright in the work, or an abbreviation by which the name can be recognized, or a generally known alternative designation of the owner. Most importantly, works that are published in the United States are subject to mandatory deposit with the Library of Congress. Therefore, they must be filed with the US Copyright Office the required “Form VA” for published and unpublished works of the visual arts (pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works, including architectural works). This can be confirmed through there office: Library of Congress Copyright Office Publications Section, LM-455 101 Independence Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20559-6000 In closing, the use of the copyright notice is important because it informs you and the public these photographs are protected by copyright by identifying the copyright owner, and showing the year of first publication. Furthermore, in the event that a work is infringed, and since the proper notice of copyright appears on the published copy or copies to which a defendant in a copyright infringement suit had access, then no weight shall be given to such a defendant's interposition of a defense based on innocent infringement in mitigation of actual or statutory damages, except as provided in section 504(c)(2) of the copyright law. Innocent infringement occurs when the infringer did not realize that the work was protected. I almost forgot to tell you another part of the copyright laws: Under the law in effect before 1978, copyright was secured either on the date a work was published with a copyright notice or on the date of registration if the work was registered in unpublished form. In either case, the copyright endured for a first term of 28 years from the date it was secured. During the last (28th) year of the first term, the copyright was eligible for renewal. The Copyright Act of 1976 extended the renewal term from 28 to 47 years for copyrights that were subsisting on January 1, 1978, or for pre-1978 copyrights restored under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA), making these works eligible for a total term of protection of 75 years. Public Law 105-298, enacted on October 27, 1998, further extended the renewal term of copyrights still subsisting on that date by an additional 20 years, providing for a renewal term of 67 years and a total term of protection of 95 years. Isn't that wonderful, a person can own a copyright for 95 years. However, it all needs to be done in accordance with the provisions of law, and most are not. So don't worry about it.

From the quick glance I took, it seems most of the discussion involves 'Orphan Works' which are/were covered by copyright, are still in copyright, but for which the author can not be located to get his permission to use more than what might be considered 'fair use', or to incorporate large portions or the entire work in another publication. The Notice of Inquiry published in the Federal Register Jan 26 2005 provides a good summary. It gets pretty involved, so for those who wish to delve a little deeper, here is the link [called TEXT on the Orphan Works webpage] http://www.copyright.gov/fedreg/2005/70fr3739.html Orphan Works webpage on copyright website http://www.copyright.gov/orphan/ ----- Original Message ----- From: <Lsnehring@aol.com> To: <ILSTCLAI-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2005 7:47 PM Subject: Re: [ILSTCLAI] Copyright Opinions >I thought there were already laws concerning this on the books. Librarians > at the St Louis Public Library used to be able to tell you what and how > much of > it you could copy. And copyright laws do run out - enabling you to copy > the > entire thing if you want. But I forget just how long that is. > > > >

List, I've posted transcriptions of all documents from two sample case files. The cases were for Attachment, and for Trespass. Here is the direct link to the Circuit Court Case File Index 1819-1840 page http://www.compu-type.net/rengen/stclair/circuit.htm Scroll down to Sample Cases Diane

I thought there were already laws concerning this on the books. Librarians at the St Louis Public Library used to be able to tell you what and how much of it you could copy. And copyright laws do run out - enabling you to copy the entire thing if you want. But I forget just how long that is.

List, Two article abstracts, photos, and list of WWI men killed/buried in France are on The Soldiers' Memorial, Jones Park, East St. Louis web page just posted. Thanks to Larry Kritis for the abstracts and list of men transcribed from the monument, and his brother, Raymond, for the photos. Scroll down to OTHER and click Soldiers' Memorial on the SCCGS home page http://www.compu-type.net/rengen/stclair/stchome.htm Also, added and corrected a query on the St Clair Gen Web Project page http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilstclai/queries4.htm Diane

Hi Everyone, It's time to spring on over (hee hee) to the library for a terrific genealogy class! The class is "Using Vital Records to Research Your Family Tree", and it will be on Saturday, May 14, from 10AM to Noon. The location is the downtown library, 1301 Olive St., in Meeting Room 1. This class is designed for beginners and intermediate genealogists, and is part of our Beginning Genealogy Series. Subjects will include identifying vital records, finding the records, and getting the most from vital records. As always, there is no charge for the class; it is free and open to the public. And parking is free, too! What a deal! You do not need to be a city resident or have a Library card to attend. Registration is strongly suggested. Please call (314)539-0385 or email mailto:ksmith@slpl.lib.mo.us for registration or further information. Don't delay! Register today! Sincerely, Kathy Smith (who must be feeling giddy) Librarian History & Genealogy

Begin forwarded message: > Resent-From: ILJACKSO-L@rootsweb.com > From: Bill <wnoliver@worldnet.att.net> > Date: May 2, 2005 1:46:55 PM CDT > To: ILJACKSO-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [ILJACKSON] Copyright Opinions > Reply-To: ILJACKSO-L@rootsweb.com > > Osiyo Folks, > > There is a growing concern on the regulations being placed to prevent > the photocopying of published works which includes that which is > related to family and genealogical information especially when the > author has died or cannot be located. This work is being called > "Orphan Works". This has no bearing on the Orphan Train or individuals > without parents, but rather, data or information where the authors are > difficult or impossible to locate. > > The U.S. Copyright Office is seeking opinions on how to proceed. This > should be of interest to anyone who is interested in family history > research and or publishing their own genealogy or family history. > We are being encouraged to voice our opinion on the subject whatever > that opinion is, as it may touch each of us, either because we may be > the author or the individual trying to locate an author. > Here is the web link for the Copyright Office: > http://www.copyright.gov/orphan/ > > Wado, > > Bill > List Admin/or Lister > -=- > > > ==== ILJACKSO Mailing List ==== > List Administrator mailto:ILJACKSO-admin@rootsweb.com > List Guidelines: > http://www.rootsweb.com/~illinois/JacksonCoWelcome.html > > ============================== > View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find > marriage announcements and more. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx >

List, Thanks to all who volunteered to check email addresses for validity. All the volunteer spots are filled and assignments arranged. Diane

I'm trying to find information on Raymond Doussard (b in France - probably the late 1700s - and died sometime after Feb. 24, 1869, when he was released from the Jacksonville State Hospital). Thank you. Rita Doussard

Hi List, Five wonderful volunteers have stepped forward so far to help check the validity of email addresses with the queries on the web site. Only 10 more are needed... Diane Here is the original plea <snip>...volunteers willing to email a batch of queries (about 30-40??) posted on the St. Clair Query Pages in order to weed out email addresses that bounce, and to delete queries that are no longer responded to. I'll coordinate the batches distributed so we do not have overlap. Each person who posted a query will be emailed separately so the emails are not accidently screened out as junk mail, and so that at least one surname in their query appears in the Subject Line. If we get a bounce, the email address will be tried again in a week (just in case the server or whatever was down the first time around) - so this is double duty for bounces. If the email address is valid (does not bounce), but no one replies back within 1.5 weeks that they want to keep the query up there, then we will delete the query. You will have to keep track of 3 things: bounces, valid but no reply, and those that reply. The list you send me [via email] will have to be able to identify the exact query to delete so I can update the pages (and so that I don't delete valid, active queries). This is easily accomplished by copy and pasting the query (including the month/year) into your email to me, and adding the word DELETE. We would like this accomplished in May. I will write a generic question regarding the posted query for you to cut and paste into an email message to each query. Hope I didn't scare everyone away! Thanks, Diane StClairCoord@compu-type.net

Hi, Are there any indexes to the numerous probate records available thru IRAD for the years 1849 and 1850? I'm searching for any references to the death of a Willibald Meyer that died between May 1849 and August 1850. Thanks, Darren King

List, We need 15 volunteers willing to email a batch of queries (about 30-40??) posted on the St. Clair Query Pages in order to weed out email addresses that bounce, and to delete queries that are no longer responded to. I'll coordinate the batches distributed so we do not have overlap. Each person who posted a query will be emailed separately so the emails are not accidently screened out as junk mail, and so that at least one surname in their query appears in the Subject Line. If we get a bounce, the email address will be tried again in a week (just in case the server or whatever was down the first time around) - so this is double duty for bounces. If the email address is valid (does not bounce), but no one replies back within 1.5 weeks that they want to keep the query up there, then we will delete the query. You will have to keep track of 3 things: bounces, valid but no reply, and those that reply. The list you send me will have to be able to identify the exact query to delete so I can update the pages (and so that I don't delete valid, active queries). This is easily accomplished by copy and pasting the query (including the month/year) into your email to me, and adding the word DELETE. We would like this accomplished in May. I will write a generic question regarding the posted query for you to cut and paste into an email message to each query. Hope I didn't scare everyone away! Thanks, Diane StClairCoord@compu-type.net

In December 1820 two brothers, Levi and David Lawrence sons of Elizabeth (Holden) and Levi Lawrence, bought an 80 acre land patent in St. Clair County, Illinois. Levi was born in Groton Mass. in 1784, David in Fairlee Vermont in 1795. Levi married Mary (Polly) Fuller in West Fairlee Vermont in 1806 and was living in Thetford Vermont as late as 1814. Levi's wife Polly Lawrence remarried in Morgan County Illinois in 1834 to David Marks. David Lawrence was still in St. Clair County Illinois as late as 1839 when he was involved in a court case. I would like to find out any additional information on these two brothers and/or any other siblings. I'm especially interested in Levi and Polly Lawrence as they are my 3g-grandparents. Anybody wanting to exchange information please contact me. Bob Robert Evans Page "... comes from a long line of dead men." Lawrence Block

Changes have been made to the following http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilstclai/address.htm (added Circuit Clerk probate info; hot link to Recorder's office) http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilstclai/books.htm (added St Peters [sic] UCC, Lenzburg, and Dutch Hill -revised- publication info) http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilstclai/german.htm (added a couple links) http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilstclai/surname.htm (added Iman/Eyman) with link to a transcribed article on early land bought by Abraham Eyman) http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilstclai/queries4.htm (added some new queries, a few of which have been on the Mail List as well). Diane StClairCoord@compu-type.net

Col. John Thomas 1800-1894; John; Griffith; Daniel from Wales. Col. John Thomas had father John 1773-1849 buried Shiloh,St. Clair, Ill. married Jane Smith,daughter of Dr.-------Smith,N.C. served in Rev. War. First name not given,He had son named Dr. William L. Smith,Surgeon. Need more information on Smith and the Thomas. Thank you.

I am looking for the specific location of an original land patent, either the longitude/latitude or the UTM. The legal description is Lot E2SE, Sect. 3, Township 02N, Rang 08W, Meridan 3, St. Clair County. TIA Bob Robert Evans Page "... comes from a long line of dead men." Lawrence Block