UK-BURBAGE-L Archives

Archiver > UK-BURBAGE > 2003-10 > 1066683054


From: Rob Wilson <>
Subject: Re: [UK-Burbage] OLD GRAVES - and copyright issues
Date: 20 Oct 2003 21:50:54 +0100
References: <BBB9AFE4.1E48%jlrussell3_gen@comcast.net>
In-Reply-To: <BBB9AFE4.1E48%jlrussell3_gen@comcast.net>


On Mon, 2003-10-20 at 20:29, Jim Russell wrote:

Rob,

I'd be glad to type in the information.

Jim Russell
Grand Rapids, MI
That's good to hear, but first we need people on the ground to
transcribe.

But Colin mentioned that WFHS has done a transcription already - I
wasn't aware of that!

Colin asked about views on copyright. In my ideal world people (like
us!) would give their time freely to generate information for others to
use - with the proviso that they would use it freely and NOT SELL IT.

A similar scheme operates with "free" software - I quote from the GNU
web site (http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html):

* The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
* The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your
needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
* The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
(freedom 2).
* The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to
the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to
the source code is a precondition for this.

A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms. Thus,
you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without
modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution
(end quote)

I wish family history could be like this - volunteers do the work, the
society (or whatever) charges only for distribution costs. If you,
having bought or downloaded a pack of information, choose to pass it on,
for free or at cost, then that's fair. Anybody who tries to make a
living out of selling on this information should be strung up.

Anyway, that was my philosophy when I started the Burbage stuff - it
wasn't just me, lots of people contributed. But I was always a little
worried about copyright of the original baptism etc records. I suspect
that since we generated (and published) just an index then the copyright
no longer applies?

All for now, Rob





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