Not sure I agree, I do think that the "bait" and "hook" technique that SSWUG is using is deceptive. However, if I wanted to publish a newsletter that is simply a set of links and what I think about them and charge people for that then I should be free to do that. It takes time and effort to sift through good material and bad material as well as simply find new/good material on the web. This time and effort is legit and people should be able to charge for this. I can't publish the materials in the newsletter or host the materials but linking should be fine. In this sense SSWUG is just acting as a glorified search engine. If I want to link to an article from a blog/newsletter whatever, it is just not feasible that everyone go around and ask the author for permission. I think there are some legal battles pertaining to this stuff currently going on. I think people have been able to stop people from linking, not sure. -----Original Message----- From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Goulet, Dick Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 1:10 PM To: oracle-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: Oracle experts are disgusted with SQL Server User Group Well, I'll agree with Don. SSWUG would appear to have crossed a moral/ethical line selling pointers to data that can otherwise be obtained for free & making money off what others have placed in the public domain. I'm no lawyer so I won't comment of the legal aspects. I think they should have at least asked the authors for permission first. At least Don has not placed his scripts in the public domain so he has a right to sell them. Unless you want to do the research & stitching yourself, which I believe if three fourths of the fun. Dick Goulet Senior Oracle DBA Oracle Certified 8i DBA -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l