It has been my understanding that facts cannot be copyrighted but that
the creative format that these facts are presented in is protected. So that,
the information about great grandfather being born on a certain date to
specific parents is NOT copyright protected but if you present these facts in
a story about his birth, the STORY is protected. Facts and ideas CANNOT be
copyrighted only creative works and these creative works must be documented
somewhere (paper, computer, stone, film or canvas) not just in your head. It
doesn't matter how much you paid or the amount of time you spent to find the
facts they cannot be copyrighted. Also, a good thing to note is that since
April 1, 1989, all creative works are automatically copyright protected
whether they have the copyright notice or not.
Now personally, any genealogical information that I find (on the web or
in files in societies) I use as hints and clues to help me document the
information. I always verify the facts through my own work. I also love to
share my research with others. Usually, the only people interested in my line
are those who are connected to it somehow, and that makes them family and it
is a very sad thing when we won't share among family. I can also greatly
understand wanting to have the credit for my work. If my 'cousin' wants to
tell all about our family line that is fine, I just better not here about all
the work she has done to find it. LOL By the way, anyone researching the
Reder or Fangman families!?!
Theresa Cappel