If you were writing a book, and most of the content was from
researchers from a site very similar to Google Answers, could you
print the content without
being liable for royalties or running afoul of copyright infringement?

Hi jeraboo,

[Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are
general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed
professional legal advice.]

According to the Google Answers Terms of Service (
http://answers.google.com/answers/termsofservice.html ), paragraph 2:

"You may not sell, use, reproduce, modify, edit, translate, publish,
perform, display, post, transmit and distribute questions, comments or
answers for any public or commercial purpose without the written
permission of Google."

This statement, especially in combination with "©2006 Google" at the
bottom of each page, makes me think that Google would object to
reprinting material -- especially lots of material -- from Google
Answers as an infringement of copyright.  (As a Researcher, I am an
independent contractor, and have no inside information.)

Yahoo! Answers links to Yahoo!'s Terms of Service (
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ ), which states, in paragraph 12:

"You agree not to reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, trade, resell or
exploit for any commercial purposes, any portion of the Service ...."

That is arguably less clear than the statement from Google Answers. 
Still, Yahoo! Answers likewise has a copyright notice at the bottom of
its pages: "Copyright © 2006 Yahoo! Inc. All Rights Reserved."

I presume that one can go through most other similar services and find
similar statements and copyright notices.

Please let me know if you need any clarification.

- justaskscott

Perfect.