[email protected] wrote:
> 
> While the original document that exists only on microfilm can indeed not be
> copyrighted, Cynthia's transcription and interpretation of that original is
> the TRUE ESSENCE of what copyright protection is all about.
> 
> At the very least, the reposting of the roster without permission and with no
> attribution is the utmost of poor taste.  Steve should know that with his
> position and experience in genealogy and historical research....


Firstly, like almost all of my postings, the posting about which you write
clearly gave attribution.  The first line of the posting contained a description
of the information.  The second line showed the URL where the reader could find
the material.

Secondly, you are wrong regarding copyrights.  Copies of 100+ year old rosters
of Civil War soldiers are not copyrightable.  The material is not an original
work.  It is a copy of existing public information.  Copies of public
information are not original works and are not copyrightable.  

Copyright protection applies to "the authors of "original works of authorship"
including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual
works."  Transcriptions of 100+ year old rosters of Civil War soldiers are not
original intellectual works and thus do not qualify for copyright protection.

The list of works that are not copyrightable includes: "Works consisting
entirely of information that is common property and containing no original
authorship (for example: standard calendars, height and weight charts, tape
measures and rulers, and lists or tables taken from public documents or other
common sources)."

The material in question is common property, contains no original authorship,
and consists of lists taken from public documents.  Therefore, it is not
copyrightable and can be freely copied and used by anyone.  

WHAT COPYRIGHT IS
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WHO CAN CLAIM COPYRIGHT
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WHAT IS NOT PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT
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HOW LONG COPYRIGHT PROTECTION ENDURES 
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