Denise,
Three comments on this proposal.
1. There is no indication that the USGW logo has been trademarked or
registered. Let's hope that it is and, if it is, the logo should indicate
that fact. I know the whole page is copyrighted but logo itself should
include the proper mark within the logo itself. If it hasn't been
protected, then the whole idea of restricting its use is moot, anyone can
use it for any purpose they want.
2. I'm not sure why we would want to include this in the USGW Bylaws. If
someone who is a member of USGW uses the logo improperly, then remove them
from USGW. If there is a site out there which uses the logo and the site is
not part of USGW, they are under no obligation to read or obey the USGW
bylaws. If the logo is protected, then you send that person a cease and
desist letter and follow up with court action. Including the proposed
change in the bylaws has no effect as the bylaws are only obeyed by the
"good guys" anyway.
3. The proposal would, under certain circumstances, link the USGW logo to
the state page. I think that is wrong. The USGW logo should go to the USGW
page, always. If a state wants to have its logo on county pages, like NJ
does, then the state logo goes to the state site.
In general, not a good proposed changed and I don't think it will accomplish
the intended purpose.
Al Sinclair
----- Original Message -----
From: <dawells2(a)aol.com>
To: <NJGEN-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2010 8:38 PM
Subject: [NJGEN] Proposed Bylaws Amendment
I am providing the below information prepared by our NC. I would be
very
interested in NJ voting on whether to be one of the states that sponsors
this
proposed Amendment. One of the problems that has arisen is that the
National Logo was used to link to a site that was only designed to
denigrate the
USGW. My personal opinion is that the USGW and its Logo should be
protected
from this type of behavior. This Amendment is one way to do that. You
all
probably know that when someone who is writing an article and is
discussing
the USGW and desires to use the Logo in their article, they have to write
and obtain permission from the NC / AB for its use. This logo belongs to
the
USGW project and, honorably, should only be used to link back to the USGW
National site.
Let me know how NJ CCs feel about this as set forth below. West Virginia
is the first state to sponsor this Amendment. Should we be a sponsor?
Let
me know what you think.
Denise
----------
As per Article XVI. B of the USGenWeb Project bylaws, the WVGenWeb
Project,
with the support of the majority of the WVGenWeb CCs, sponsors the
following
amendment to the USGenWeb Bylaws:
Currently ARTICLE IX. A. reads:
IX. GUIDELINES/STANDARDS FOR WEBSITES/MEMBERS
A. All websites shall include prominent display of The USGenWeb Project
logo
on the home page. A state project logo may be required depending on the
guidelines/standards in effect for that state.
The corrected proposed change to read:
IX. GUIDELINES/STANDARDS FOR WEBSITES/MEMBERS
A. All websites shall include prominent display of The USGenWeb Project
logo
on the home page. If linked, this logo may only be linked to the USGenWeb
National site. A state project logo may be required depending on the
guidelines/standards in effect for that state. If linked, a state project
logo may only be linked to the appropriate state site.
Please post this in the proper locations so that other states will have a
chance to cosponsor this bylaws change.
Les Shockey
SC WVGenWeb
Article XVI. B. states that for a bylaws amendment to be placed on the
ballot during the annual election there must be 5 co-sponsors (of which WV
counts as one) of the proposed change.
You will find the proposed amendment at
http://usgenweb.org/volunteers/notice.shtml Any state that wants to join
WVGenWeb in co-sponsoring this amendment, please notify your regional AB
representatives, Tina Vickery as RAL or myself as NC and we'll get your
state listed as co-sponsor.
Sherri Bradley
National Coordinator
USGenWeb Project
Information about the USGenWeb Project at
http://usgenweb.org
Advisory Board Agenda
http://usgenweb.org/agenda2.php
-------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to
NJGEN-request(a)rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes
in the subject and the body of the message