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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Queens finest (talk | contribs) at 18:01, 13 May 2006 (TOO MUCH NONSENCE ALL I WANT IS TO UPLOAD A PICTURE OF THE CONVENTION CENTER THATS IT NOT STEAL ANYONES PICTUER OR NOTHING AINT LIKE YALL GON GET SUED OR ANYTHING I MEAN COME ON!). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

    Media copyright questions

    Welcome to the Media Copyright Questions page, a place for help with image copyrights, tagging, non-free content, and related questions. For all other questions please see Wikipedia:Questions.

    How to add a copyright tag to an existing image
    1. On the description page of the image (the one whose name starts File:), click Edit this page.
    2. From the page Wikipedia:File copyright tags, choose the appropriate tag:
      • For work you created yourself, use one of the ones listed under the heading "For image creators".
      • For a work downloaded from the internet, please understand that the vast majority of images from the internet are not appropriate for use on Wikipedia. Exceptions include images from flickr that have an acceptable license, images that are in the public domain because of their age or because they were created by the United States federal government, or images used under a claim of fair use. If you do not know what you are doing, please post a link to the image here and ask BEFORE uploading it.
      • For an image created by someone else who has licensed their image under an acceptable Creative Commons or other free license, or has released their image into the public domain, this permission must be documented. Please see Requesting copyright permission for more information.
    3. Type the name of the tag (e.g.; {{Cc-by-4.0}}), not forgetting {{ before and }} after, in the edit box on the image's description page.
    4. Remove any existing tag complaining that the image has no tag (for example, {{untagged}})
    5. Hit Publish changes.
    6. If you still have questions, go on to "How to ask a question" below.
    How to ask a question
    1. To ask a new question hit the "Click here to start a new discussion" link below.
    2. Please sign your question by typing ~~~~ at the end.
    3. Check this page for updates, or request to be notified on your talk page.
    4. Don't include your email address, for your own privacy. We will respond here and cannot respond by email.
    Note for those replying to posted questions

    If a question clearly does not belong on this page, reply to it using the template {{mcq-wrong}} and, if possible, leave a note on the poster's talk page. For copyright issues relevant to Commons where questions arising cannot be answered locally, questions may be directed to Commons:Commons:Village pump/Copyright.

    Click here to purge this page
    (For help, see Wikipedia:Purge)


    License tagging for Image:CTPbanknoteback.jpg

    Re: License tagging for Image:CTPbanknoteback.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:CTPbanknoteback.jpg

    The jpg image comes from A Gallery of Chinese Kapitans authored by C S Wong (deceased). It was obtained from a personal family journal kept, at that time, by my grandmother Lee Sau Yeng (deceased).

    I have no idea how to call up the dead to ask permission. Could you recommend a suitable medium?

    Thank you

    --jefferyseow 00:07, 30 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Copyright law varies from country to country, but usually all rights are not released upon the death of the creator. Copyrighted work's entry into the public domain usually occurs after a period of time after the creator's death. It could also be transferred to someone else, or their estate. Regardless, the fact that the creator of this work is deceased does not mean the image doesn't need to be tagged. We need all images to be tagged with their license so that we can sort them and protect wikipedia from liability. If you have any other questions let us know. - cohesion 05:12, 2 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]


    Hello Judson. I do not know how to tag these. Since everyone is dead I might as well remove the images. How do I delete stuff that I've put on? Thank you. Jeffery.

    Do you actually have the journal? If so, and it was given to you you could reasonably assume that you, being the heir, can license the work as you want to. If that's the case you can pretty much pick what license you would like from Wikipedia:Image copyright tags#For image creators. If I'm not understanding who has the journal now or something let me know, but to me, it seems like you could probably license however you want. If you have any other questions about the particular licenses etc. feel free to update the question, and I or someone will get to it :) - cohesion 18:50, 2 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Luna Park Sydney Images

    I would like to know how best to tag the following images, after Orphanbot complained about the lack of copyright tags. I typed out the copyright information and fair use justification, as I was uncertain how to format it to conform with any of the current tags.

    Image:UFOlunaparksyd.JPG (the one OrphanBot compalined about), Image:Wildmouselunaparksyd.JPG, Image:Coneyinsidelunaparksyd.JPG, Image:Midwaylunaparksyd.JPG, Image:Maloneyslunaparksyd.JPG, Image:Rotorlunaparksyd.JPG and Image:Rotormidcyclelunapraksyd.JPG. The result of this discussion will likely also apply to Image:LunaParkSydney IB.jpg.

    Please reply on my talk page. -- Saberwyn 12:42, 2 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    This is an interesting case, these images were taken by the uploader, but the area (theme park) the uploader was in has a policy that images taken there can't be used for commercial purposes. This is also in Australia. I have left the uploader a message on their talk page explaining a little, but saying more to come. Anyone have any better insight on this? - cohesion 19:13, 2 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    I doubt that the policy in question is legally enforceable. At worst it's fair use, so I would tag as {{fairusein|articlename}} and {{permission}}, and write out the comment as-is on the image description page. Stifle (talk) 17:31, 9 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    I uploaded some images today and forgot to select the free licence or whatever it is. I can't figure out how to add it, and I read the three entries on this page about adding a tag and can't figure it out. I tried overwriting my own image with the image again, with tag selected, but that didn't seem to work. Help! Please tell me step by step. I can read the answer either here or on my talk page, but if you answer here can you leave a note on my talk page so that I know to check? --Technicalglitch 23:53, 2 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    I finally figured it out! --Technicalglitch 02:43, 3 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    Haha, sorry no one could get to you earlier, but hey, this way you have the satisfaction of figuring it out yourself :D - cohesion 08:14, 3 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Weird license

    Something called a Biolicense on Image:Amino Acid Property Venn Diagram.png. No idea what the license refers to (there appear to be 3 different ones on the biolicense page, and the site is barely comprehensible in the first place), so I'll dump it on you guys. --Rory096 07:51, 3 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Seems pretty straightforward to me: the license is too confusing, so the image isn't usable on Wikipedia. --Carnildo 08:35, 3 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]


    What shall I do

    I have uploades a picture Image:Ghassemlou.jpg from www.shnoweb.com but this site have not covered by copyright and I have tried to contact them but without any result. So what do you think of this.. OtrO DiAOtrO DiA 16:11, 3 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Image from he.wikipedia

    I uploaded an image that I got from Hebrew Wikipedia today. The Hebrew page for the photo is here. On that page (in Hebrew) the licensing says that the image was taken from English Wikipedia, but the image description page (Image:Ibrahimi-mosque.jpg) is blank. I then uploaded the photo on my own, and it is now located at Image:PatriarchCave.jpg. What would the proper licensing be, if any? --DLandTALK 02:29, 4 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    The original was deleted from enwiki for lacking source info, so the proper tag is {{no source}}. If anyone know hebrew the image should proably be tagged for deletion on hewiki too. --Sherool (talk) 11:33, 4 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    What am I going to do?

    Image:Otis_Elevating.jpg is the same photo as another one (Image:Otiselevating.jpg) that has already been uploaded onto Wikipedia. I meant to shrink it, but I forgot to. What should I tag it as, and what if I want to delete it? Kschwerdt514 23:15, 3 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    The image has been deleted, in the future if you want to delete an image that you yourself uploaded tag it with {{db-author}} and an admin wil delete it shortly. - cohesion 05:52, 5 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    My images.

    I have uploaded certain pictures of my grandmother, for the article about her. My mother, who holds the copyright to these photographs, has given me permission to post them. :Siddiqui is trying to get these photos deleted. Please tell me what I should do.--Le Grey Intellectual 14:36, 4 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Did your mother really intend to release the images under a license that allows commercial use and derivative works to be made? If so, there should be no problem. If your mother is, for instance, uncomfortable with the idea that someone might add devil horns to the image and then sell it on a t-shirt, I'm afraid that we can't use it. Jkelly 17:48, 4 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    I am trying to raise the issue of copyright and plagiarism because the Le Grey has been checking and adding Copyright violation in many pages in Wikipedia. You can check Le Grey's contribution [1]. In these images, Le Grey indicated that user made these photos himself/herself. One of the photo is of Fatima Jinnah, involved in Pakistan movement, who died on July 8, 1967 but Le Grey was born on 24th of April, 1992, as per Le Grey's user page. So I raised the issue of plagiarism since this user has been very active in protecting intellectual property rights. If these photos are made by Le Gre'sy mother then user must have indicated that. Le Grey judges other wikipedians very harshly on copyright and plagiarism issues while not following same rules himself/herself.
    Siddiqui 18:48, 4 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    I do follow them myself! If you could tell me how to change it from 'self-made', I'd gladly do it. Or even just do it yourself, if you know how to.

    Also, JKelly, my mum's allowed me to use the pictuyre for the article, but I do think she might have a bit of problem with the scenario you mentioned. (:. So, wot sort of license should I put on it?--Le Grey Intellectual 13:36, 5 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Unfortunately, unless she is willing to release the images under the GFDL or {{cc-by-sa-2.5}} or some other such license, they cannot be used on Wikipedia. Stifle (talk) 17:34, 9 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Used with permission?

    I uploaded Image:General_Shaw_Clifton.jpg and Image:Robin_Dunster.gif for use on pages in Wikipedia. The former was to replace an existing image, but that image was classified with the tag "Used with permission". As I understand it these tages are out of date. What is the correct tags for these images (their websites are listed with the image)

    --AllisterH 15:29, 4 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    How do we have permission to use them? The website has a copyright notice at the bottom. 'Permission' means that we need an email from the copyright holder agreeing to release the images under certain conditions. That email will need to go to our press office. Without that, then we can' have the images, I'm afraid. The JPS talk to me 17:39, 4 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Then I guess both these images will need to be removed, because I am unable to contact the copyright holder and arrange for an email release. The image on the Shaw Clifton page will need to revert to the previous image, which actually I note is from the same site. Is the permission for this (previous) image then? (I am not trying to be awkward because I feel the images on the relevant pages are important in convey the information, but I am trying to be consistent!)

    --AllisterH 10:31, 5 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    (I'm responding here rather than my talk page so that others might be able to respond while I'm busy)
    I'm not sure I understand were this 'permission' came from in the first place? What evidence do we have? I agree, as it stands both images need to be removed. The JPS talk to me 14:05, 5 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    These have been speedied, "with permission" is not sufficient. Stifle (talk) 17:37, 9 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Lawrence of Arabia on Brough Superior

    I need help correctly tagging an image - can anyone help please? Thank You, Rgds --Trident13 23:12, 4 May 2006 (UTC) The image is here Image:Lawrence Brough Cranwell.jpg[reply]

    I have tagged it with {{promophoto}} can you update it with more information on the source, not just the url? Do you know why the photo was taken for example? - cohesion 06:01, 5 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    Thank You! It is likely to have been taken on delivery of one of Lawrence's new Brough Superior's - he had seven during his life, all named "BOV George" and then it's number. It is also dated around the time of the publication of Lawrence's wrting "Revolt In The Desert", when a large number of publicity photographs were taken. Rgds, --Trident13 08:16, 5 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    I can't make this tag work

    I uploaded the Image:Urjala.jpg file and tried to find a way to tag it like Image:Lempäälän_vaakuna.png has been tagged, because I believe the same rules apply to it, but I couldn't get the tag to work. The tag I'd like to use is "{ {PD-Coa-Finland } }". Is this a tag that only works with files that are uploaded to wikimedia commons, or is there a way to make it work for the Urjala coat of arms too? --Nerwende 02:48, 5 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Yeah, {{PD-Coa-Finland}} does not exist here, we just have the generic "this file might or might not be copyrighted" type COA tag. Since it's a free image I would recomend simply uploading the file to commons and use the tag they have there. Once the file is available on commons list the now redundant "local" version you uploaded here for deletion. --Sherool (talk) 05:41, 5 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    Thanks. I uploaded it to commons after making an account there and tried to fill in all the info. The tag works now for it, but there's still the warning "does not have information on its copyright status" because I didn't know what to choose from the drop-down menu to accompany the tag.  :/ What would be the appropriate choice, and how to edit it? Sorry, I feel like a total newbie here now. --Nerwende 10:02, 5 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    Go to commons:Image:Urjala.jpg (since the file is on commons), then click the "edit" tab, then remove the {{no license|month=May|day=5|year=2006}} bit. I would also recomend moving the {{PD-Coa-Finland}} bit into the licensing section. Also note that the "local" version of the file will "block" the commons version from here, so when you add it to a page it will link to the version of the image that you uploaded to Wikipedia and not the commons version. That's just the way it works when two files have the same name, don't worry about it, the commons version is still there and usable by all other projects, and if the local version is deleted the commons version will automaticaly be unstead instead without anyone noticing. --Sherool (talk) 18:59, 8 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    Done. Thank you for guiding me through it so patiently. :) Nerwende 18:03, 9 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    if i change a photo enough is it still copyright?

    i had a teacher tell me that if i use a copyright image but change it enough it is okay to use. is this true? and how much does the image need to be changed? 67.149.14.82 18:21, 5 May 2006 (UTC)amanda[reply]

    I hope he was not a teacher of copyright law :P Well it sort of depends a bit on local laws, and what you mean by "use". For private use between friends most countries give very broad liberties (disclaimer: I am not a laywer). However that does not mean you have any rights to the work, just that you can do pretty much whatever you want with it in private. If you upload the result to the internet or print flyers and hand out or whatever it would constitute "distribution" and most likely be a copyright violation. Anyway as a rule using someone elses work will at best give you shared rights, if you have permission to use the work first, see our derivative work article for more details (not our best article, but you should get the gist of it). --Sherool (talk) 19:24, 8 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Message

    I've received an automated notice by OrphanBot that the Image:Tyrol-coa.gif is untagged. However it has the tag {Coatofarms}. May be the bot is malfunctioning? --Brand спойт 00:16, 6 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    "Coat of arms" isn't really a license tag, it's more of an indication that the image may have restrictions on it above and beyond any based on copyright law.
    The copyright situation with coats of arms can be confusing. In the European tradition, the "coat of arms" that is granted is actually a text description of the arms, and any graphical depiction is one artist's impression of that description -- an impression that is certainly eligable for copyright. --Carnildo 06:27, 6 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    "Free art license?" I'm too lazy to read it, one of you can see if it's compatible. --Rory096 05:49, 6 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Yup yup, {{FAL}} Admrb♉ltz (tclog) 05:57, 6 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    All the pictures I gave yesterday to the Wikipedia, were pictures I made myself. I want to give them under the GDFL licence. Coffeinfreak 07:13, 7 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    No problem, just go to the ones that aren't tagged and add {{gfdl}}. To remove the notice by orphanbot after you have tagged something, edit the page like I have done here [2] I noticed also that a lot of the images you uploaded on the 3rd list the source as "german wikipedia", that is not really an acceptable source. Just because it's from another wikipedia doesn't mean the images are GFDL, because obviously if we allowed that we could just play a shell game with images and steal anything :) Anyway, just to let you know the images may, in the future, be marked as no source. At the very least provide a link to the german image, and if you speak german update it with the actual source of the image. - cohesion 18:51, 7 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Images from (Michigan) Senate PhotoWire

    Can someone please tell me the correct tag to use for Image:CatherineLaurion.jpg and Image:CrystalHayes.jpg. The images are in the public domain, per this note on the index page: Photos on the Senate PhotoWire are intended for media use and may be freely reproduced. PageantUpdater 08:08, 8 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    As they are made for the media, I would use {{Promophoto}} which is a fair use tag. –Mysid 13:18, 8 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    They may be intended for the media but it does not state that they are only for media use. In fact the "intended for media use" and the "may be freely reproduced" are broken by the "and" which makes them two separate entities. Niether does it say they may be freely reproduced by the media (only). There's a difference! (lol too much statutory interpretation practice for law today :P) I'm sure that these can be used freely, I just need a tag. PageantUpdater 13:32, 8 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Image tagging

    I have uploaded an image without a tag. Now I want to tag it. How can I do this? Michael —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Kimera2256 (talkcontribs) .

    Go to the image's page, hit edit and type in the tag from WP:ICT Admrb♉ltz (tclog) 17:33, 8 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Fair use of logos

    I've been wondering about the usage of enormous lists of small logos (like in the articles SkyCable or List of Norwegian television channels). Is it legal, or should I remove the logos in cases like this to make the articles comply with the fair use doctrine and stop wasting bandwidth? Thanks in advance. –Mysid 13:14, 8 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    This is a somewhat contentious issue, just so you are aware before you start working with it. There has been previous discussion Wikipedia talk:Fair use, mostly around actual galleries. This is a table, with some information about each image so your case is somewhat weaker. It is problematic for bandwidth reasons especially for dial-up users etc, and that argument would probably get more traction. So the short answer is you're right it's not a clear cut case of fair use, but there is significant disagreement on the issue. - cohesion 04:56, 9 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Putting Image Tags

    How do I insert or edit an Image tag after I have uploaded the image and forgotten to add the Image tage the first time around ?Jordy 17:16, 8 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Go to the image's page, hit edit and type in the tag from WP:ICT Admrb♉ltz (tclog) 17:31, 8 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    I have been warned this picture may be deleted.

    The material depicted is collected by me, the photograph is taken by me.

    The licence connected to this picture says:

    "Licensing

    Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".

    I cannot avoid to keep wandering about the eagerness to delete pictures.

    What more is needed to avoid deletion of this picture. It is used in the Norw. entry "Plantefarger" (plant dyes).

    --Frode Inge Helland 17:16, 8 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Do not worry, your image will not be deleted, and there is no eagerness at all to delete free images. What has happened to it is quite complicated, though:
    1. In February, you uploaded this image to en.wikipedia twice, as Image:PlantefargetSpelsaugarn.jpg without any copyright information, and as Image:PlantefargetSpelsaugarn2.jpg with {{NoRightsReserved}}. It appears that you also uploaded the image to no.wikipedia under the GFDL.
    2. In March, User:Kjetil_r moved the image from no.wikipedia to the Wikimedia Commons: PlantefargetSpelsaugarn.jpg
    3. On April 27 the first en.wikipedia version was correctly tagged as having no license, and you were notified on your talk page.
    4. On May 5, I noticed both versions on en.wikipedia, and deleted the first, since it was not licensed and was not used in any articles.
    When an image is on the Commons, and there is not image by the same name on any particular Wikipedia, the commons image becomes visible on that Wikipedia. That's why now, when you visit Image:PlantefargetSpelsaugarn.jpg on en.wikipedia, you are actually seeing the properly-licensed image on the commons.
    Now that we at en.wikipedia know that the image is on the Commons, where it is accessible to all languages' Wikipedias, we can now, with your permission, delete Image:PlantefargetSpelsaugarn2.jpg. ×Meegs 19:34, 8 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    how to tag images about a band taken from official sites

    i was including pictures from a bands official site, obviously promotional photos. definately not a violation of copyright. how do i tag these? -- sausagefence 3:31 9 May, 2006

    If you are certain that an image meets our very narrow definition of a publicity photo, then you can use {{Promophoto}}. If not, it is best to use {{fair use in}} and write-up a detailed rationale for the image's use in the band's article. In either case, specify the URL of the page containing the image, and any available information about its photographer or copyright holder.
    Fair use notwithstanding, please bear in mind that there is ample opportunity to produce or procure free images of contemporary bands that are consistent with Wikipedia's goal of creating a free encyclopedia. Adding a copyrighted image may seem to improve the article in the short run, but in the long run it can be detrimental by obscuring the fact that free images are needed. ×Meegs 12:45, 9 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    I just got the OrphanBot message. I've changed the licence. Could someone make sure I've used the correct one and remove the OrphanBot tag. Thanks. CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 21:17, 9 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Wouldn't this be a derived work, with a copyright held by General Mills? Presumably, they would never grant a free license. Even if taking the photograph granted the photographer some rights (I don't know), the rights to the original work (e.g. the box), would still hold. --Rob 21:37, 9 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    See Bridgeman Art Library v. Corel Corp.; this seems to be merely a mechanical reproduction of the product's box artwork, and thus like the original, all of its rights remain with Pillsbury. As with album covers, though, there is as strong a fair use claim as there is for its use in an article about the product. Use {{fairusein}} with a short rationale. ×Meegs 01:37, 10 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    It would be better to get an illustration directly from them, actually, since this isn't as high-quality as what they likely have. Or at least try to get a box without those wrinkles at the corners, cut off the sides so it can lie perfectly flat, and scan it on a flatbed scanner to remove the light effects, then crop it to remove the stuff at the sides of the picture. —Simetrical (talk • contribs) 03:05, 11 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    I've always been curious about these kinds of "product pictures", if the photo has been of the box sitting on a table and taken from an angle would it still be considered a copy? I've always wondered where to draw the line with these things, is to OK to release a photo of a coke can as GFDL self? How about a photo of a guy holding a coke can? Gnn, gives me a headace :P --Sherool (talk) 06:08, 11 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    It's hard to work this out, but a fair use claim is certainly possible here. However, we need a better picture - can you either scan the box or get a photo without flash? Stifle (talk) 17:19, 11 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    The line drawn by Bridgeman is that "slavish copying" doesn't grant copyright. If your goal is to reproduce the exact two-dimensional art, but you unintentionally take it at a slight angle, or with some glare, or whatever, that doesn't grant you copyright. But if you introduced additional nontrivial elements intentionally, that's copyrightable as a derivative work (although if the base work is copyrighted, it doesn't negate the copyright of the base work).

    A photo of a Coke can would be a derivative of the (presumably copyrighted, unless it's a lot older than I think it is) logo and can design. You could release the derivation (angle, lighting, etc.) under the GFDL, but the base part would mean we'd need a fair-use rationale anyway; it would, however, mean that anyone with permission to use the base work (e.g., the Coca-Cola Company) could use your derivative if they followed the GFDL. We really don't have any good tags for things with multiple copyrights, so probably a fair-use tag with a text note that whatever parts belong to you are GFDLd would be the way to go.

    Exactly the same logic applies to a photo of someone holding a Coke can. —Simetrical (talk • contribs) 18:52, 11 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Three images

    Image:Mikemalloy1.gif, Image:Thierry Meyssan2.JPG, Image:James Petras and Thierry Meyssan.JPG. The first one I didn't upload but received specific permission from the subject's producer (who is also his wife). The other two may be freely used provided that attribution is given (the website they came from specifically gives these instructions). OrphanBot says they need tags, but, in my scan of the tags page, none of them accurately describe the status of these images. —Sesel 23:24, 10 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    For the first image, you must obtain permission for the image to be licensed under the GFDL or some other free license, not just permission for use on Wikipedia. Furthermore, please ask the copyright holder to e-mail their release statement to permissions at wikimedia dot org. I've updated the other two with the correct tags. —Simetrical (talk • contribs) 03:09, 11 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    I found this image Saro_Skeeter.jpg onthe website http://www.free-picture-graphic.org.uk/saro-skeeter-helicopter.htm. The image had an accompying message that this image could be used non comercially, and also stating that it is for educational use in particular. It seems to me that this kind of image should be allowed, but if it is, I could not find an appropriate tag for it. Either way, could someone please help me out with this? Aborrows 05:07, 11 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    I'm afraid such images are not acceptable on Wikipedia, our content have to be compatable with our license. The gist of the GFDL license is that anyone can use the content for anyting (commercialy or non-commercialy), provided that a) they credit the previous authors, b) make any new work based on it available under the same terms, and c) include a copy of the GFDL license text (there is some stuff about cover texts and document history and so on but you get the idea). Content that is only usable for non-commercial use, or by special permission and things like that is too restrictive to be compatable with that license, and thus not allowed even if Wikipedia itself is non-profit. There is a small "loophole" with invoking the fair use doctrine of US law to use images that are unfree, but it's supposed to be a "last resort" only (a fair use picture is slightly better than no picute), so our policy is fairly restrictive on fair use content. --Sherool (talk) 05:56, 11 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:Copyrights"


    Newspaper Articles I just uploaded two copies of newspaper articles as reference for a new article I started. Would someone check and let me know what I need to do from a permissioning/citing/tagging perspective?

    --Irishkevin2 14:34, 11 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Can you please give the page names of those images? Use [[:Image:imagename.jpg]]. Stifle (talk) 17:16, 11 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    I've found the images from his upload history and responded to him at Wikipedia talk:Copyrights#Newspaper Articles. In the future, Irishkevin2, it's usually best if you only post your question in one place. —Simetrical (talk • contribs) 18:54, 11 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Coat of arms

    I uploaded Image:Coat of arms of Hungary.png to replace Image:Hungary COA.jpg. It's exactly the same image, from the same source, but 14% of the file size and with no JPEG artifacts. When I uploaded the image and was prompted for a license, I chose "None selected" from the drop-down menu, because I didn't see {{coatofarms}} there. After uploading, I immediately edited the image description page to add {{coatofarms}}, as this is the copyright tag given for the previous image.

    Just now I received a message from OrphanBot, which informed me that the copyright status of the image is not specified. Does {{coatofarms}} not qualify as a copyright-status tag? If there is a copyright problem, then I don't have any further information; I was simply uploading a PNG replacement for the original JPEG version, and the copyright problem must logically extend to Image:Hungary COA.jpg as well. If there is no copyright problem, then I guess I should just ignore OrphanBot's message and delete the {{no license}} tag from the image description page for Image:Coat of arms of Hungary.png, and maybe someone should look into OrphanBot's behavior. —Bkell 01:15, 12 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    repost from above

    "Coat of arms" isn't really a license tag, it's more of an indication that the image may have restrictions on it above and beyond any based on copyright law.
    The copyright situation with coats of arms can be confusing. In the European tradition, the "coat of arms" that is granted is actually a text description of the arms, and any graphical depiction is one artist's impression of that description -- an impression that is certainly eligable for copyright. --Carnildo 06:27, 6 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Now, for more info, there are a number of these images on enwiki and commons, see commons:Image:Hungary COA.jpg and commons:Image:Hungary coa.png. It seems at least some of these images came from Vector-Images.com, and can be used with attribution only. Ideally we would have only one image on the commons in some vector format with a copyright tag. Right now Image:Hungary COA.jpg is a higher resolution jpeg than the jpeg on commons that it is masking, it is also used on a lot of articles. The smaller size one seems to be the one from Vector-Images, so I am hesitant to replace them with the larger unsourced unlicensed versions. If we can get a source/license for the large ones that would be best and then the lower resolution ones could be replaced.

    Hope that all makes sense, short answer though is yes we still need a source and license for the higher-resolution images. - cohesion 16:16, 12 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    The source is given; see [3]. I'll follow up on the licensing. —Bkell 16:40, 12 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Hi ... The orphanbot has mailed me saying that I need to copyright tag my uploaded photos. I took the photos myself, but just how do you tag it ??? Thanks ! --David Humphreys 04:24, 12 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]


    aha !!! just worked it out !!! --David Humphreys 04:37, 12 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Glad it worked out :) Also remember if you are uploading images that you took yourself or that are free content feel free to upload them to the commons so that all the language projects can use them. commons:Special:Upload. (You do need an account there, it's best to use the same username) If you have any questions let me know :) - cohesion 16:19, 12 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Web Sourced images

    Hi ... I have found a website that states "All my photographs are free to use on non commercial websites." Does the photographer receive a credit on Wikipedia or is that considered advertising ??? Thanks --David Humphreys 13:11, 12 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Actually while it seems like we should be able to use images like that, we can't. Even though wikipedia is a noncommercial site our license (GFDL) allows for commercial redistribution. That does actually occur as well, with about.com etc. To answer your question more directly, some people license their work as requiring attribution only, and that's ok and would not be considered advertising. So, the attribution isn't the problem, the non-commercial aspect is :) - cohesion 16:24, 12 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Albino Gorilla picture

    Hi, I uploaded this picture to the Floquet de Neu page (about the albino gorilla) from here on Dutch Wikipedia, but I can't read Dutch so I don't know what they put the copyright status as. Does anyone know? Thanks TastyCakes 22:22, 12 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    It appears that they copied it from the English Wikipedia (originally uploaded at Image:Snowf2.jpg), and that image was deleted for not having source information. The page on the Dutch Wikipedia doesn't have any information on copyright. --Carnildo 22:58, 12 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    Damn. I think it's the perfect picture for the article.. TastyCakes 00:16, 13 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Image:Dpecrest.jpg

    I keep getting warnings on most of the images I upload all of which, I might add, do have the licensing information in there, granted I do not select from the drop down menu but usually insert a Coatofarms tag since that is the most appropriate for the images that I've uploaded. Is there anyway to prevent from getting these warnings? --ImmortalGoddezz 22:53, 12 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    Permission question and fairusein tag

    Hi, I uploaded:

    File:Photo jennings2.jpg

    I have permission to use it on Wikipedia from the University of Evansville, and it is used on the University of Evansville website as promotional material. Should I mark it as promotional material, or fairusein and withpermision tags?? Btw, I don't think the fairusein Tag works very well, unless I'm just not using it right. Thanks! --Mh143 23:54, 12 May 2006 (UTC)mh143[reply]

    Image:Nicholashooper.jpg

    I just uploaded Image:Nicholashooper.jpg to Wikipedia from the page http://filmmusicworld.com/radio/index.php?todo=showstory1&header=&page=&storyid=183&storycategory=&storycategory1=. I was unsure of the licensing because none of the options seemed to quite fit the situation. I don't want to cause a problem with copyright status, but I don't think this picture is a violation of any copyrighting, because I have seen the picture at various other web pages before, when talking about Nicholas Hooper. Please advise as to what is the right thing to do with this image. Thanks a lot. --Fbv65edel (discuss | contribs) 16:41, 13 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

    TOO MUCH NONSENCE ALL I WANT IS TO UPLOAD A PICTURE OF THE CONVENTION CENTER THATS IT NOT STEAL ANYONES PICTUER OR NOTHING AINT LIKE YALL GON GET SUED OR ANYTHING I MEAN COME ON!

    LOOK MAN THIS WHOLE UPLOADING A PICTURE THING IS TOO DAMN DIFFICULT AND ONLY U KNOW HOW TO DO IT OR UNDERSTAND IT I MEAN DAMN ALL I WANTED WAS TO PUT A PICTURE OF THE PUERTO RICO CONVENTION CENTER BECAUSE THE ARTICLE DIDNT HAVE ONE AND IM TRHOWN A LOT OF BULLSHIT AT ME AND THEN U COME N TELL ME ALL THIS MAN U NEED TO HELP ME OR SOMETHING I MEAN DAMN CMON MAN