I follow a convenient, practical and legal-ignorant method and have had
no complaints from its consistent use.

Where an article or publication or book is quoted which has been
published for general sale, subscription or circulation such as a book,
magazine, newsletter or web page, I assume that the information is not
confidential, and freely quote with full attribution, only requesting
permission when the source has posted a notice that permission is
required (such as Road & Track magazine).

When quoting from a second-hand article, I often try to consult the
original since it might have been altered.  Some club newsletters might
neglect proper attribution and not copyright their club newsletter, but
the originator of the material may not have been accurately quoted nor
adequately credited.

Where the information has been given to me personally rather than
having been submitted for publication, I will ask for permission for
its reuse or dissemination and wait for confirmation before using it.
Otherwise, I will not use it even in paraphrase until the decease of
the author.

It is _after_ you have inadvertently posted an exceedingly private
reply to an automatically posted list of 1000 people that you realize
what effect such an error can have, so it is also wise to be as
generous and thoughtful in your private posts as it is in those you
intend for a wide audience.

Karl Petersen, Sometime Editor and Publisher
Meridian, Idaho

  "The moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
   Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
   Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
   Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it."

   -- The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam