Slightly off topic, but the CCs are asking... I sent the below message to the Archives-L list last night. As of now, there hasn't been a firm answer from Linda or anyone else. Joy responded with a "they belong to all of us", but that's not how the guidelines read to me now. (It appears that they've been changed since I started contributing files to the archives.) The current guidelines also state that the Archives MUST be hosted on Rootsweb, and even limits what directory (site) they have to be on/in. Is there something in writing, somewhere, that definitely states that the Archives are a part of the USGenWeb Project, and as such don't belong to and aren't under the control of any one person? As a part of the USGenWeb Project from the state/county side, it's clearly stated that the files that are contributed are being contributed to the project, and if the CC leaves, the only files that they can "take" with them are the ones that they have personally contributed. That's a very good thing..... With the trademark and domain for the Archives belonging to one person, I'm no longer sure that the same can be said of files in the archives. Thanks for any insight. ~Sherri Hall SC, KYGenWeb KYGenWeb Archives File Manager -----Original Message----- From: Sherri Hall [mailto:ldrbelties@earthlink.net] Sent: Monday, October 13, 2003 9:17 PM To: Archives-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Questions about the Archives Over the last couple of weeks, I've been getting questions from some of the KYGenWeb CCs and archivists about the status of the archives. Since the basis for the questions appear to have gone on before I took over as Archives File Manager, I don't have a clue how to answer. I'm not pointing fingers, and I hope I'm not stepping on any toes, but would someone please enlighten me? The big question is who actually "owns" the USGenWeb Archives? Going back through some old Board-L messages, I find info that Linda Lewis filed for and has obtained the trademark name "USGenWeb Archives". Is this saying that she "owns" the archives, and all posts to them? How does the USGenWeb Project fit into this, besides the use of the name? What assurance do submitters to the archives get that the files they're contributing are actually going for the purpose they're intending i.e., free access to transcribed public domain documents as a part of the USGenWeb Project, and are not going to be benefiting one person or group? What happens to the Archives when or if something happens to Linda - an illness, accident, death, etc.? Like I said, I don't mean to step on anyone's toes, but do want to be able to respond with reasonablly intelligent, correct answers to the questions being asked. Thanks, ~Sherri Hall KYGenWeb Archives File Manager