Does anyone know what the legal status is of e-mail messages on a public e-mail list? Do they "belong" to the writer? The listowner? No one? Can someone legally quote (in a scholarly book or article) messages posted on a public e-mail list without obtaining the consent of the people who wrote them? Against the wishes of the people who wrote them? Several people have asked me the above questions recently. I know that I've seen discussion of this issue somewhere at some time, but I don't remember where. I tried doing a database search on the lstown-l and arachnet archives (since 1/92), but I came up empty-handed. I'd like to be able to advise the people who have asked me for information. I'd be most grateful for any info you can provide. Many thanks. Joan Korenman Internet: [log in to unmask] Bitnet: korenman@umbc