DPS-SYDNEY-L Archives

From: "Michael Drew" <>
Subject: That newspaper again
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2001 15:19:09 +1000
References: <200109221400.f8ME0Hs20902@lists2.rootsweb.com>

>Oh, for goodness sakes, I would have thought that there was more going on
>this world than worrying about what the Courier Mail is saying - check the
>laws of copyright first - then get on with it - so futile this argument. -
>Rosa

I would have to disagree strongly, Rosa. Yes, there are more important
things going on in the world - our Prime Minister, or rather the US
President, is just about to take our young men to war, for example.

That doesn't mean that life should end there though. If we spent every
minute of our waking day worrying about when the bomb might drop, it would
be pretty dreary. I am active in a range of social and political issues, but
I like to keep that in perspective. My hobbies - cricket, reading and
genealogy - help me do that.

The Courier Mail has undone the good work of the indexers who have worked so
tirelessly to compile their index. That is an issue that we have every right
to comment on, particularly in a genealogy list like this, even more so in
the list where the indexers "reside". We have heard from Sharyn - I wonder
how she feels to see all her hard work down the drain.

People power can work and does work. It is not inconceivable that someone at
The Courier Mail may be moved to reverse their decision if they feel that
enough flak and ill will is being generated.

Is the argument futile? Hardly. It appears that you would rather we consult
our lawyers as a first option. I see that as a final option. That's OK.
Disagreement helps formalise a good plan of attack. It is certainly cheaper
to organise a petition or to write a letter than to consult a lawyer - but
if you feel that is the best option, I would agree that we should think
about it.

And Tom Perrett asked
>Why pick on just our poor old C-M, when it was only
>one of TWO that refused, why not pick on the other
>one to.

I guess the main reason, Tom, is that The Courier Mail is the newspaper that
started this. They didn't just refuse us permission to post our index; they
actually wrote to us threatening legal action if we didn't remove our
property from the website. It was this letter that prompted the committee to
pull all the indexes temporarily and write to all the newspapers. If it
hadn't been for the bullying of The Courier Mail the other newspaper
wouldn't have had the chance to refuse.

And let's be honest. The Courier Mail has known about our index for quite
some time. They only chose to object when they realised there might be a
buck in it for them. No moral grounds here, merely greed. I still wouldn't
mind betting they took the opportunity to "borrow" the work of our indexers
too, before demanding we remove it.

Michael

This thread:

• That newspaper again by "Michael Drew" <>