Forum:Amendment to the image policy - Public Domain images

I want to propose an amendment to the image policy in regards to editors using images created by other users here. Right now, our image policy says this:


 * “...there are instances when users cannot use images uploaded by others without permission without it being considered fanon stealing. If the image was created by an author for a specific purpose, then it will be considered fanon stealing if it is not used with permission.”

And:


 * “If an image was modified by a user, discounting cropping, rotating or anything minor such as color changes and changes that require skill, then another user needs to ask permission from the uploader to use that before using it in their articles.”

Don’t get me wrong. This is a perfectly sensible policy. It is missing something, though, and that’s information regarding the use of public domain images. If a user uploads one of their OWN images to this wiki and licenses it under Public Domain, other users do not (repeat: do NOT) require permission to use it. Restricting the use of an image in the public domain is illegal, so we need to make sure we’re not protecting the ability to restrict that. We’d be aiding in the breaking of copyright laws.

That said, though, if a user doesn’t like the fact that someone else is using their own public domain image, they have every right to change the licensing on it and then tell the user that they do not have permission to us it. Artists/photographers/etc. have the legal right to change the licensing on their images as they please, so that needs to carry over here.

Basically, this already applies, so this CT isn’t to approve user’s rights to use public domain images created by other users. We can’t approve the right to follow the law. What this CT is about is just adding into the image policy a clarification and amending it to remove the protection that we currently afford Public Domain images. The problem basically stems from Wikia telling users to license their own images in the Public Domain, so this is to clarify it.

All relevant matters of the voting policy apply. Please keep it civil. This CT will last at least until Monday, March 16, 2009 unless it needs to be extended. Normally I would make it two weeks, but I don’t think this is really going to require that long of a time. - Brandon Rhea (talk) (contribs) 19:29, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

Support

 * 1) As the proposer. Keep in mind that if you oppose this, you’re voting in support breaking the law. - Brandon Rhea  (talk) (contribs) 19:29, 9 March 2009 (UTC)