I wish that I lived in the area and could help. I could make it possible for Mark to publish the information online by visiting the cemeteries myself and contributing my own transcriptions. Maybe one day I will be able to help. Bill <billbobb@bright.net> wrote: It seems to me that cooler heads should prevail and maybe a simple compromise should be worked out. Having just published a family history book, and having had same copyrighted, I am familiar with many of the copyright laws. While it is true that one may not copyright "public records", one may copyright a work that compiles "public records". What is copyrighted is the format in which they are presented. Societies make money by compiling this data and selling same. Their work and efforts need to be protected. A few years ago, I had to help resolve a dispute between two societies, where one have complied such a book and the other took it and had it published, and sold same. Societies are now urged to place copyrights on their works. If someone takes the work of the society and distributes same for free, how is that fair to the society, who has spent time and money publishing their work. But if I understand Debbie correctly, the society does not object to Mark's website. He seems to be upset with the tone of the message he got. If the society would agree, Mark could use some of their material on this site, and give them credit and note that the book as compiled by the society is copyrighted. I know that Mark thought he was doing everyone a favor, but there are society members who spent hours reading the cemeteries and then indexing and compiling the information, so it could be put in book form and sold. This allows the society to make money and do their projects and programs. (and keep dues low) I would hope that both sides discuss this further and maybe find middle ground and resolve this situation. Bill Huber Visit the Allen County OHGenWeb site. http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohallen/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to OHALLEN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message --------------------------------- The fish are biting. Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing.