Tom Barrett asks:
> what (are) the ethics, rules, do's and don'ts (for using) some of the
> material from the BEE-L postings ....?
 
Q: What happens when you give a lawyer Viagra?
 
A: He grows taller!
 
My understanding regarding the "rules and regs" pertaining to copyright
on material posted on the internet is that the "rules and regs" have
yet to be ironed out.  My non-legal understanding is that the rights
belong to and remain with the author and permission must be obtained
prior to quoting what they have written.  I don't believe the "fair use"
provision in copyright laws referred to by Paul Nicholson exempts one
from having to obtain permission from the authors (See Who? vs Texaco -
Who? is suing/has sued Texaco (or was it Exxon) over photocopying text
for use in their labs).  Quoting for book reviews is considered quite
different than quoting for publication in a magazine which is sold for
profit (I assume the "Irish Beekeeper" is not not for profit and I'm not
sure if not for profit matters in this or not).  I believe the issue is
using intellectual property which belongs to others, which is what
"posts" are considered.  But again, I ain't no legal beagle.  I freely
quote from BEE-L in the newsletter I write for my beekeeping
association, but before I do I extend to those whom I quote the courtesy
of a request via E-Mail for permission to use their words.  I think in
all the years I have never received a refusal and most times I receive
thanks for the courtesy.  One time I received no response and in that
case I did not quote that which I would liked to have used.
 
Bottom line however is that if you quote someone from BEE-L you should
ask and receive their permission and you should credit them in your
article, just as you would (should) if you were quoting published text.
Except unless of course you are quoting Andy who freely grants:
"Permission to copy this document in any form, or to print for any use"
and wisely warns that "OPINIONS are not necessarily facts, USE AT OWN
RISK!"
 
Aaron Morris - thinking I'd rather be wrong and courteous than a lawyer!