Message:

[

Previous   Next

]

By Topic:

[

Previous   Next

]

Subject:

Siler website

From:

Jason Waanders

Reply-To:

Maryland Birds & Birding

Date:

Thu, 22 Jul 2004 19:20:52 -0400

Thank you to Norm for re-subscribing Jack Siler and getting MD-Osprey back on birdingonthe.net.  Regardless of past miscommunications and whatever some opinions may be, Jack Siler's website represents a convenient service for those of us who like to follow multiple birding lists efficiently.

As to the questions regarding copyright, etc.: you don't necessarily have to officially register a copyright to get copyright protection for a creative work.  But, and meaning no disrespect to the many fine writers who contribute to this list, I don't think the average MD-Osprey post is the type of work to which copyright normally applies.  

Norm may indeed have some sort of rights as the owner of the list, as Steve pointed out, but I think all of this misses the point.  The list's function is to allow us to SHARE birding knowledge and experiences with each other.  If a few extra birders wind up reading our posts, I don't think that's compromising the function of the site, especially since we're not all that restrictive about membership (and the Siler site doesn't by itself allow anyone to post here).  So whatever mistakes may have occurred before, let's not lose sight of the big picture here.

Jason Waanders
NW DC
jwaandersATstarpower.net