ETHICS-IN-GENEALOGY-L Archives

Archiver > ETHICS-IN-GENEALOGY > 2000-09 > 0968607656


From: "Lee Morse" <>
Subject: Re: [Ethics] sharing - or plagiarising?
Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 13:40:56 -0400
References: <oolrCCAJS3u5EwaD@genic.demon.co.uk>


I would love to see more information posted to this list regarding the laws
regarding copywrite issues, particularly issues that concern the internet.
My understanding is that EVERYTHING is under copywrite, whether so marked or
not. I believe that includes even e-mail messages. This is a fascinating
area and an important one. Ethical genealogists also try to be ethical in
other areas of living . Information about these issues is crucial to that
end.

Lee Morse
----- Original Message -----
From: "Geoff Nicholson" <>
To: <>
Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2000 7:46 AM
Subject: [Ethics] sharing - or plagiarising?


> >When I publish the data I have dug out, I do it so that others can
benefit
> >thereby. If they share with others what do I lose (except a bit of pride
if
> >my name is not mentioned).
> >
> >It apals me that some people do genealogy and do not want to help others
or
> >have their data shared!
> >
> >Norman Tew
>
> Norman:
>
> You are assuming that all others have the same motives as
> yourself. You forget that there are many who are providing an extremely
> useful service by publishing material commercially. If you were one of
> those, your rights over what you have created (and a published list or
> any secondary source derived from a primary one, even if it is just an
> "edited version" of a primary list, is something you have created
> yourself) would be your own commercial possession - your "intellectual
> copyright" and you would not want all and sundry to be giving away for
> nothing what is your property and your living to sell.
>
> There seems to be a feeling among many who are new to the
> business of information handling that it is OK to publish anything. IT
> IS NOT! A single hard fact may be published, or simply stated, of
> course, but as soon as a piece of text, a specific layout or editing
> policy, is repeated, then a breach of copyright has occurred. After
> all, if I were to publish, say a transcript of a record then, being
> ethical, I would presumably have first obtained permission to do so,
> possibly for a fee, from the original copyright owner (unless it was out
> of copyright). Why should others give away my creation which has cost
> me money in the first place?
>
> I am not a publisher, as it happens, though I have many
> interests on the fringe of publishing. I just don't like to see naive
> and ignorant idealists thinking they can do as they like with other
> people's legal or intellectual property. I do know publishers who are
> getting so fed up with what is happening on many genealogical sites that
> they are seriously thinking of following up their usual actions of (a) a
> stiff letter, then (b) a solicitor's letter with (c) court action
> against plagiarists.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Geoff Nicholson
>
>
> Geoff Nicholson, 57 Manor Park, Concord, WASHINGTON, Tyne & Wear NE37 2BU
> * The PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGIST for Northumberland and Co Durham.
> * "Native Guide" Service - your very own personal genealogical tour guide
> * NEW "Look-up" service, etc etc. ** AGRA Member **
> * More details on my Homepage: http://www.genic.demon.co.uk/index.html
> UK Phone: (0191) 417 9546 E-mail:
>

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