While not ethical it is not always illegal. When I share information, I do one of two things. 1)Only give information that do not care if it gets published. or 2)Make it very clear that you are not giving them the right to publish the information in any manner. In example: 1)I only give the names but no places or dates. 2)I say something that means basically this. "This information is for your personal use only. I am not conveying any right to publish any part of this information using electronic or other means." Both of these make some people angry. I am currently compiling a book and I use these tactics about 5-10 times a day. When I ask people to share information with me, I say something like. "I am compiling a book. Please do not send any information you do not want included in the book. If you do send information to me that you do not want published please mark it clearly on every copy of the information you send me." By the way I also save a paper copy of every e-mail in case there is a problem later. Mike