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Archiver > WHITNEY > 2004-05 > 1085114192


From:
Subject: Concern about theft of data for profit.
Date: Fri, 21 May 2004 00:36:39 EDT


Dear WRG:

I have copied the message below from the Baden-Wurttenburg maillist. I have
NOT checked it out -- I'm not quite sure how to go about it as yet. However,
I am concerned about our various collective databases being compromised by
what seems to be the commercial appropriation of data for profit.

It is my understanding that our website, maintained by Tim Doyle, does NOT
also exist through Rootsweb, so probably wouldn't be subject to appropriation by
Ancestry.com, who seems to be behind what this message warns about.

Perhaps Tim and/or Robert could give this some attention and let us all know
what, if anything, we collectively, and we individually, might need to be wary
of.

Thanks.

Allan E. Green
*****************************************
    I received this email through another list I subscribe to and I thought
you might be interested.

>From 

I'm not sure where to send this concern, but since many of you on this list
have
trees on World Connect, will start here.  This is the link to a page that
really has me concerned.  http://trees.ancestry.com/owt/checklist.aspx

(If the link doesn't work, go to ancestry and look for the Family Trees link
on the select bar near top  of page.)

On ancestry.com (our sponsor) I came across a notice of a new
product "One Tree", which will combine umpteen+ family trees and other info
"ALREADY COLLECTED" and make them accessable for only $45 for 15 mo.  The intro
about the new program explains how to have one's tree included, and also
warns:

"If for any reason you do not want your tree to be part of the new
OneWorldTree service, you must delete it from the Ancestry World Tree database by
tentatively May 21, 2004."

I was curious, so clicked on the "try out" box and was surprised to find that
my World Connect tree was included as part of the Ancestry World Tree
database.

I love rootsweb.com, I understand the need for getting a sponsor, and coming
from a long line of entrepeneurs, I understand profit and loss.  Still, unless
I missed something, this OneWorldTree sounds a bit like theft. I was never
given any warning about this, nor was I ever told our sponsor would start
grabbing our GED trees without notice or permission.   Maybe someone can explain why
I'm wrong, or why I shouldn't complain.

Joanne


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