Kim Pallaye writes--
I have a lady that wants to do Lookups but is concerned about the
copyright laws. She has just gotten marriage CDs & wants to help other
people since she has gotten so much help from USGenWeb people. Smile.
She asks if it is illegal or does Broderbund know people are doing this?
I'm not sure how to answer her. So, it looks like we both need an answer
on this one. And whether or not they know about it, that doesn't make it
legal.
Are the marriage, birth, death, etc on these CDs put out like companies
like Broderbund considered public domain?
Both of the site I manage had Volunteer Lookups already set up when I
took over the sites, and I have continued with them. I don't do Lookups,
so I don't know how they are done or what all is involved.
Are there guidelines set up for this? Does someone have some insight on
this? Help!
If the person who is considering this will read the "Introduction"
on her Broderbund CD and transcribe for you the portion about
their interpretation of copyright abuse you may be able to figure
out a work around. But I suggest you are on pretty shaky ground
if you are planning to publish "Look ups from Broderbund CD #
so and so" They specifically say they don't mind an owner
sharing a name or two with a friend, but copying more than a few
names would be considered abuse.
Now I am not a huge fan of Family Tree Maker and Broderbund CD's
and I am a big fan of GenWeb and not-for-profit sharing. Facts,
such as names and dates are not copyrightable. But the printed
organization of such facts is and the format of these CD's is.
No---the information copied from the CD's is NOT public domain.
Why don't you "test" Broderbund by writing to them and asking
permission for what you want to do? Be sure to explain what
not-for-profit websites this would be for and stress the idea
that the queries would be for the marriage of one specific
couple as well as their handling by private email not publication
to a mailing list or a website.
Here is the address:
Broderbund Customer Support
Broderbund Software, Inc.
P.O. Box 6125
Novato, CA 94948-6125
Interestingly enough, this is a quote from their website urging people
to contribute to their World Family Tree:
"The genealogy community is based on sharing -- the more that people share
their family information with each other, the better the results for
everyone involved."
So I say---ask them and see if they are willing to grant permission. You
will definitely find out what their "true attitude" is in this regard.
They are now providing look ups for a fee from their website, so it will
be interesting to know if they will allow it for free from a GenWeb site.
I hope this is helpful.
Joyce Cummings
Huron County Asst. CC