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Archiver > CORNISH > 2001-02 > 0982277465


From: "John Coles" <>
Subject: Re: Re: [CON] Cudmore-Cornish Marriage Register
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 22:51:05 -0000


Hi Folks,
As I understand it there are copyright restrictions on the Phillimore's
transcriptions, and my ageing memory tells me that this topic was VERY fully
discussed about 18 months ago on the List.

Copies of the Phillimore's transcriptions (which are very accurate and
painstaking, and took many years to do) are fairly freely available aroun d
the world, as well as the LDS microfilms - which were done by negotiation,
to the best of my understanding, and can be ordered at your nearest centre.
For some, I appreciate, that may be a journey of some distance.

I don't want to get into the copyright debate, which is complex, and can
lead to serious misunderstandings. However, I believe the fact remains that
if copyright is infringed by (for example) publication of copyright material
to the web, the end result will be that, ultimately, only limited - or even
pirated - material will be available. This is NOT to underestimate the
wonderful work done by so many people (including Thelma) who so freely offer
their time. It is simply that sometimes people have to 'protect' the end
result of their often very expensive labours. Here in Great Britain (and the
same applies in - for example - the USA and Australia, copyright is very
strictly protected by law.

For example, an ancient document (such as the Domesday Book here in Britain)
is quite clearly 'out of copyright'. But if Fred Bloggs spends half his life
transcribing it, translating it and printing it, then that TRANSCRIBED
version of it is is his copyright. In other words, anyone else is free to go
back to the ORIGINAL and make their own - copyright free - transcription.
But if they copy Fred's transcription to the List or the Web or anywhere
else they are in breach of copyright.

There is an interesting debate here: Suezan has transcribed and copied to
the List a lot of monumental inscriptions. She has done that willingly and
free of charge, as a service to the List.

BUT if someone were to download all her transcriptions, and produce them as
a CD Rom for sale at $20 then THAT would be an infringement of Suezan's
copyright.

I'm not trying to rock the boat here - I really hope that 'copyright' will
not become a thread for discussion by the list... the topic was very well
aired in the past, with strong views both ways, and a search of the List
archives will produce all the arguments.

But having had dealings in the past with this thorny issue myself, I'm just
trying to say that we should be VERY CAREFUL about material on which there
is a copyright obligation.
Best wishes to all, John C. in Cornwall.



-----Original Message-----
From: Thelma Cudmore <>
To: <>
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2001 9:31 PM
Subject: Re: Re: [CON] Cudmore-Cornish Marriage Register


>Dear Cousins,
>
>Doug Nicol has kindly given more information on the book I have. Please
see
>below.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <>
>Sent: 15 February, 2001 4:48 AM
>Subject: Re: Re: [CON] Cudmore-Cornish Marriage Register
>
>
>> Hello Thelma,
>>
>> There are a few things you might want to know before you go to all the
>trouble of transcribing that book. What you have is v. 26 of the
Phillimore
>Marriage Indexes for Cornwall, published in 26 volumes between 1900 and
>1935. Most of the earlier volumes were only printed in 100 copies. All of
>them have been microfilmed by LDS and are available on microfilm from local
>FHCs. In addition, I believe Phillimore still holds copyright on their
>publications, so you should be careful about this. You might want to check
>with someone at the CFHS before going to all that trouble.
>>
>> All best wishes,
>>
>> Doug Nicol,
>> Harvey's Lake PA
>
> I was not aware my book had been microfilmed by LDS. Even so, there are
>those of us who have trouble getting to the LDS libraries. So I'd like to
>go on with it.
>
>However, I will put it on hold for now and follow Doug's advice. Thanks,
>Doug, for the information. It is much appreciated.
>
>Blessings,
>Thelma Lawson Cudmore
>
>
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