User:CopoCop/Copyrights
 | This idea is in the brainstorming stage. Feel free to add new ideas; improve, clarify and classify the ideas already here; and discuss the merits of these ideas on the talk page. |
 | This page in a nutshell: Do not copy text from sources without a CC-BY-SA-compatible license. |
Wikipedia's copyright policy is among its fundamental policies, and yet policies regarding text-based copyright, which are needed for everyday editing, are buried in technical detail. This policy contains the bare minimum about text-based copyright issues that every editor needs to know.
Copying text into Wikipedia[edit]
The current copyright policy allows an editor to directly copy material into Wikipedia only if that editor is in a position to release the material under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License (CC-BY-SA-3.0). This means that you are allowed to insert text into Wikipedia only if you satisfy one of the following conditions:
- you hold the copyright to the material because it is your own creative expression[1] , or
- you acquired the material from a source that allows licensing under CC-BY-SA-3.0; in particular, it must allow commercial reuse and derivative works.[2]
Whenever you make a direct copy of external text, it is essential to clearly indicate that you did not write it yourself, where you obtained the text and why you feel you have a right to use it.
Quoting and Fair Use[edit]
Material from non-CC-BY-SA sources can be included as quotations under the "fair use" doctrine of copyright law according to the guidelines for non-free content which has the following requirements on the quoted text:
- It is attributed and used verbatim.
- Any alterations are clearly marked.
- It is brief. Extensive quotation of copyrighted text is prohibited.
Notes[edit]
- ^ In order to add text to which you own the copyright, you must follow the procedures at Wikipedia:Donating copyrighted materials
- ^ At this time, text can be copied if it is licensed under the CC-BY-SA-3.0. However Wikipedia is changing to a dual-license of GFDL and WP:CC-BY-SA, so GFDL-only text should not be copied at this time.