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Archiver > ALT-GENEALOGY > 2001-10 > 1001986195


From: "Chuck Wolfram" <>
Subject: Re: Copyrighting Genealogical data
Date: Tue, 02 Oct 2001 01:29:55 GMT
References: <20011001194010.07987.00001765@mb-cs.aol.com>


It's impossible to copyright the data--the facts. The birthdate of your
great-great-great grandfather cannot be copyrighted by anybody and thereby
forbid others from using that data if for no other reason than the fact that
he would have other great-great-great-grandchildren who would have as much
right to that data as the presumed copyright holder. What can be
copyrighted is the way it is presented.

Chuck Wolfram

"MyTigers" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi,
>
> I've got a really off the wall question. Can you copyright genealogical
data?
> The reason I ask is because I just came across someone who has "all
> genealogical data contained on this page" copyrighted with the symbol and
all.
> I don't see how you can copyright something that is public record. I can
> understand maybe copyrighting a book or a web page but the genealogical
data
> itself. The only thing listed are birthdates, death dates, marriage
dates,
> places and names.
>
> Just curious. Thanks.


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