Wikipedia:Fixing non-free image problems: Difference between revisions
→Why was it deleted?: OOPS |
→What do I do now?: SORRY .. haven't had my coffee yet ... ROTFLMFAO |
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== What do I do now? == |
== What do I do now? == |
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First, determine who or what removed the picture. At the top of the page are tabs, if you click on the "history" tab, you will see a list of all the edits made to the page. Try to determine which edit caused the removal of the picture, and if it was an editor, then go to their page and ask them ''politely'' why it was removed. Most editors are happy to explain when approached in a respectful manner. |
First, determine who or what removed the picture. At the top of the page are tabs, if you click on the "history" tab, you will see a list of all the edits made to the page. Try to determine which edit caused the removal of the picture, and if it was an editor, then go to their page and ask them ''politely'' why it was removed. Most editors are happy to explain when approached in a respectful manner. |
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Revision as of 11:50, 19 June 2011
Someone deleted a picture from the article I was working on... HELP
First, take a deep breath, and remain calm. There are people here who will try to help you with your questions, and if possible, find a solution to your problem. There are basically two type of pictures (images, files, etc.) that are used here on Wikipedia:
Public domain images are basically free to use in any article that they would apply to, and as long as it's agreed by everyone working on an article that they are appropriate, it's safe to say that they can remain in an article. These types of images are not owned by anyone in particular, and can even be modified and used elsewhere.
Fair use images however have some type of legal strings attached to them. They may belong to a person who has not agreed to release them freely to the public, and there may be restrictions on how they are used. These are the types of files that this essay will try to address.
Because these fair use images involve real world legal issues, very often the wording of our guides is necessarily complex and difficult to understand.
Why was it deleted?
Pictures get deleted in two way; either an editor looked at it and decided that was not being used correctly, or a WP:BOT that travels through the articles found that it was missing the information that was needed to allow the image to remain. A "bot" is an automated script or tool which runs automatically and looks for certain text or conditions which would allow the picture. If those conditions are not met, then the bot automatically deletes the picture from the article.
The term "Fair Use" means that while the picture may not be "free" to use at will, if reasons can be made that the image substantially improves the quality of the article, and the proper justifications are made, then the image can be used. Often this type of reasoning is subjective, and open to interpertation. A case must be made properly that the picture improves the article, and that is allowable buy Wikipedia policy and guidelines.
Either an editor or a bot made the determination that having that image within that article was not within our policies and guidelines. That is why the file was removed.
What do I do now?
First, determine who or what removed the picture. At the top of the page are tabs, if you click on the "history" tab, you will see a list of all the edits made to the page. Try to determine which edit caused the removal of the picture, and if it was an editor, then go to their page and ask them politely why it was removed. Most editors are happy to explain when approached in a respectful manner.