Wikibooks:Media
From Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection
Most media files found online are copyrighted and cannot be used on Wikibooks. This policy proposal explains our requirements for images and other media files used on Wikibooks. Media files which do not meet these requirements will be deleted as described in the deletion policy.
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[edit] Media
Textbooks on Wikibooks are created under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License so that anyone can freely use, modify and redistribute our books whether for free or for profit. Media files included in our books must be licensed under similar terms, using a free license or be in the public domain, and must be properly tagged. Limited use of non-free use media files may also be allowed, but strongly discouraged. Media files and images uploaded to Wikibooks, unless otherwise stated by policy, must allow:
- the freedom to use and study the work, to apply acquired knowledge and benefit from making use of it.
- the freedom to make and redistribute copies of the work, in whole or in part, for commercial uses or for free.
- the freedom to modify the work, and to distribute derivatives for commercial use or for free.
These freedoms may not be restricted, and attempting to restrict these freedoms for an image or media file is grounds for immediate deletion of that file.
[edit] Free licenses
In countries which recognize copyright, most creative works are automatically protected by copyright. Usually the creator of the work maintains all rights to the work ("all rights reserved") unless the creator gives or transfers their copyright to someone else. This may happen through contracts, licensing or by law. A free license is a license in which the copyright holders gives everyone the right to use, modify, redistribute, and create derivative works of their copyrighted work for commercial or non-commercial uses. Some free licenses may have additional conditions in exchange for these rights, such as requiring all derived works to use the same license or a compatible license, including the names of all copyright holders and not using the names of copyright holders as a selling point.
Media files uploaded to Wikibooks under a free license, must include:
- An appropriate free license template
- All information required by the appropriate free license, such as the name of the copyright holders and original source.
If you wish to use media or images that you created in a book on Wikibooks, you may use any free license, such as the GNU Free Documentation License or Creative Commons Shares-Alike license. You may also choose to dual license your work under multiple free licenses. Dual licensing, where possible, is the preferred method because it grants maximum freedom to the users of the media.
[edit] Public domain
Public domain works are works not protected by copyright laws or are ineligible for copyright protection. Works may be placed in the public domain, or become public domain as a result of the applications of laws. Some countries may include limitations on the use of public domain works or may not acknowledge public domain works at all. Public domain media files may be used on Wikibooks, if the media may be freely used, modified and redistributed for commercial or non-commercial uses by anyone without restrictions or limitations.
Public domain media files uploaded to Wikibooks must include:
- An appropriate public domain template
- Information on its authors
If you are not the author, you must also include:
- A trusted link to where the media file can be obtained and can be easily verified as being in the public domain.
Examples of public domain media:
- Artwork or illustrations from the United States created by people who have been dead more than 70 years
- Colors, symbols, simple illustrations, etc. ineligible for copyright
[edit] Non-free use
Non-free use refers to the use of copyrighted works without the copyright owner's permission. Some countries allow copyrighted works to be used without permission under certain conditions. Fair use in the US and Fair dealings in the UK are two examples of such cases. The inclusion of non-free media files is strongly discouraged and must only be used when:
- Free license or public domain alternatives aren't available;
- Creating a free licensed or public domain alternative is not an option;
- Books or modules are enhanced by related media being used;
- A reasonable rationale has been given for using a non-free media file; and
- Deleting a non-free media file would render a book unusable.
Non-free media files uploaded to Wikibooks must include:
- An appropriate fair use template
- Information on its copyright holders
- An easily identifiable explanation for why a fair use media is required for each instance of its use.
Non-free use on Wikibooks excludes:
- Media files released under a free media license, and public domain media (as described by this policy).
- Media files "used with permission" since this infringes upon the 3 rights mentioned above
- Media files created by you or other works not previously published
- Parody applications, such as screenshot parodies of proprietary software. These are outside project scope.
- Decorative uses and uses unrelated to the subject matter.
- Unused media files and media files used outside of any book
- Violations of any laws governing "conditional use" of copyright work in:
- the country you're uploading from
- the country of the copyright holder
- the United States
Examples of non-free uses that are acceptable include:
- Coat of arms, flags, seals, company logos, trademarks, etc. used in a book or module about the government or entity
- Low-resolution screenshots or videos of proprietary software (or media used in accordance with the license the media is released under) inside books or modules about the software
- Coins, banknotes, or stamps resized, partially covered, watermarked or otherwise changed to comply with counterfeiting laws
If you are unsure about non-free use, ask about it in the Reading Room.
