Hello, In my never-ending desire to use proper citations and not violate people's copyright, I am still confused but trying to understand so that I can instruct my genealogy society members. I am wondering when a perfectly normal English phrase becomes copyrighted. For example, I have written to and received permission from Elizabeth Shown Mills to use the phrase "FAN Club Principle" and the explanation in my May presentation to my genie society. Of course, I will do this with proper citation and I am always sure to actually say where I get my information from. I now see where DearMyrtle has coined a phrase: "Principles of "The Pinball Approach to Genealogical Research" in her Jan 20th and 23rd blogs and this phrase was reused by Randy Seaver in GeneaMusings blog without a footnoted citation but he did say he felt DearMyrtle had coined the phrase, he mentioned when and where he heard her use this and another similar phrase. I would love to use this phrase in my May presentation and I will be seeking permission to use it and her explanation of what it means but wonder if I am going too far in thinking I need to ask permission every time someone utters some words in the English language. My question is: when does a phrase become copyrighted? A pinball approach I have heard attributed to other areas of life, a fan club is when a group of people follow someone for some reason. So by adding the word "principle" makes it copyrighted? or using the word fan as an acronym makes it copyrighted, or using quotes? And, BTW, I have received permission to explain the "FAN Club Principle" as mentioned above, I will seek permission from DearMyrtle for use of her phrase, and I was granted permission to use the late Sandra Luebking's words "What's an "Intermediate"? Or should I take Course 1 or Course 2?" found on the IGHR website as long as I give proper credit and citations. So I am learning, Margie in Washington State [image: My Family Tree] Margie STEIN Beldin, *Family Historian and Genealogist* *Researching STEIN (Scotland, Massachusetts), MOSSEY/MASSÉ/MACÉ (Quebec, New York, Vermont and Massachusetts), FORGEA/FORGET (Quebec, New York), JENKINS (England, Connecticut)* Member: TCGS, EWGS, BFHA, NNYACGS, VT-FCGS Blogs: http://beldinfamily.blogspot.com/ and Tri-City Genealogical Society: http://tcgs1961.blogspot.com/ * * My profiles: [image: Facebook]<http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=606872599> [image: Blogger] <http://beldinfamily.blogspot.com/> [image: Blogger]<http://tcgs1961.blogspot.com/>