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Archiver > WHITNEY > 2004-05 > 1085154597


From: Jon Whitney <>
Subject: data theft
Date: Fri, 21 May 2004 11:00:30 -0500


Dear Listers:

I have not read the "fine print" of the various sites holding family tree
data contributed by many of us, but I believe that any time some takes the
work of another and sells it without permission with or without attribution,
it is not legal. When we author a work, under this country's laws, it is
copyrighted. I would think the sale of another's work without explicit
permission and attribution is a violation of the United States' copyright
laws. I don't know if this can be litigated, but I think it certainly bears
looking into. I would think there are persons on this list who are probably
much more familiar with the law than I and would appreciate hearing their
responses. What a tragedy, that something so innocent as our willingness to
share our information with each other in this never ending search for our
roots should be usurped by another's greed.

Jon Whitney

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