There is no way Ancestry can enforce a "no copy" clause - although they could disable the feature to do so with one click they can not prevent people from doing screen captures, etc. Anything a browser can displayed can be copied in some way or another.

I object to people copying info from other trees but I *REALLY* object to Ancestry making it so easy to do so.

I guarantee that ancestry has gotten this message continuously and very clearly. THEY DON'T CARE.

They have managed to take a few million dollars worth of software and leased content and turned it into an entity that will be worth about $572 million when the IPO closes. We are not the people they seek credibility with. They need the credibility of the investor class.

Also, selling by existing shareholders and outstanding in-the-money options will make very wealthy individuals out of the management team -- who will then care even less.

Brennancass said, "If Ancestry want credibility then there should also be a clause that people cannot copy that info or those images without first gaining your permission. Using and abusing other peoples hard work is not acceptable but as long as you pay your bucks to Ancestry they will just turn a blind eye to it."

Ancestry.com is not ignoring this. This is a large part of what Ancestry.com is marketing-selling-promoting. Names. Trees to copy. Others' research to lift. Nonsense galore the largest part of the mix, but Ancestry.com will not admit that the trees are nearly all genealojunk. Those who want big trees showing descent from nonexistent persons have a lot to choose from.

I have to agree with you it is very obvious that their only concern is making money. However I do find myself torn because the positive side is that the "leased content" has been a great help to me in connecting up loose ends especially on those elusive ancestors who seemed to fall off the radar. I doubt if I would ever have found out the whereabouts of those who emigrated to the USA and even England!

I will continue to dip into these databases but my tree will remain private from now on!

I keep my tree private for many reasons. Living relatives, personal info. Some things have not yet been proven.

Everyone has the same choice to make their trees public or private. Your tree, your choice. No where in Ancestry.com does it say that researchers info has to be shared.

Personally, I do not copy info from other trees for the fact that info may be wrong. I research all of my intros into my trees be it then or later. I have found many erroneous entries about my ancestors in other trees. Some assume that same surnames in the same area have to be related, when in reality some are not.

I have found lots of useful info on Ancestry. Let your fingers do the walking and obtain your own info and do not depend on other researchers' trees. I feel fulfilled whenever I discover something on my own. I may ask another person how one of my ancestors fit into their family.