Commons:Help desk

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COMMONS DISCUSSION PAGES (index)

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Uploading

How do I upload videos and photos from my phone?

The uploads directed me to document and camera whereas the videos and photos are under media files.

Help. Thanks. — Preceding unsigned comment was added by 197.210.226.102 (talk) 15:50, 23 March 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Hello I live in England. I am preparing a Wikipedia article on a British Artist (Madeline Green, 1884-1947). One of her works (Glasgow, painted about 1930) is held by the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, and the image is displayed on their website. I emailed the Gallery on 17 April 2017:

______________________________________________________________

Hello

As you will see from the attached draft, I am writing a piece about the artist Madeline Green, to expand on the very short entry about her on Wikipedia [1]

Thanks to your colleague Brooke I have a scan of the catalogue entry from your 2007 exhibition “Modern Britain, 1900-1960”, in which Green’s Glasgow was displayed. If possible, I would very much like to include an image of Glasgow [Accession Number   4468-3] in the Wikipedia page. I think it would add considerably to the write-up, especially as I quote from your catalogue about the painting.

Thank you.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards John

_______________________

Dr John Carpenter England

_____________________________________________________________


I received a reply today:

Hello John,   Thank you for your request and I apologise for the delayed reply. I’m happy to provide you approval to use the below image in your article. Could you please include the below caption with the reproduction.   Madeline Green Glasgow c. 1930 oil on canvas 53.6 x 43.3 cm National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Felton Bequest, 1931 (4468-3)   Best wishes, Kathleen

Kathleen Burke Publications Assistant National Gallery of Victoria 180 St Kilda Road Melbourne VIC 3004

______________________________________________________


Do I need to ask the Gallery for further authority before I can upload the image?

Your help would be much appreciated.

Jgdc47B (talk) 10:06, 27 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Commons doesn't really need permission from somebody who made a copy of the painting. Her work is already public domain in Australia, but I'm not sure about UK. Since she died in 1947, at worst it would be 1 January 2018. However, Commons also requires it to be public domain in the US, which I think is 95 years from the "publication" date. --ghouston (talk) 11:07, 27 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Given which, you might do better for now to upload it directly to the English-language Wikipedia on a fair use basis. I would also add that, insofar as the NGV may hold any copyright, the above release is useless for Commons: among other things, permission to use the image in a particular article is not equivalent to a free license. - Jmabel ! talk 15:30, 27 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Thank you both. Picking up Jmabel's point, what do I specifically have to do to "upload it directly to the English-language Wikipedia on a fair use basis"? How do I answer the questions when using the upload wizard? Jgdc47B (talk) 18:56, 27 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Uploading on en-wiki has nothing to do with Commons' upload wizard. Use en:Special:Upload. Instead of the {{Information}} template, use en:Template:Non-free use rationale. - Jmabel ! talk 23:41, 27 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
That was a very helpful reply. Thank you! Jgdc47B (talk) 09:33, 1 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Resolved
I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. ★ Poké95 13:53, 7 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Hallo, ich bin gerade dabei den Artikel für die Lingerie-Marke Chantelle zu erstellen: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Louisancel/Chantelle(Marke) Das Logo habe ich vom Unternehmen erhalten, um es dem Artikel anzufügen. Welche Lizenz muss damit angegeben werden? --Louisancel (talk) 13:15, 27 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

  • There was never a Chantelle Logo.png. Is that just a proposed place to put it?
  • Without seeing the logo, I can't answer this. Either it is (1) simple enough to be ineligible for copyright, (2) old enough to be in the public domain, or (3) not something we can have on Commons without a license from the rights-holder. Unless you are the rights-holder (I'm guessing not, since it would then be a conflict of interest for you to be writing the article), you are in no position to grant such a license. You could contact the company about that, but it is very unlikely that a company will free-license its logo. - Jmabel ! talk 15:36, 27 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

common.js

None of the stuff in my common.js is appearing anymore. This started occurring around 02:56, 27 April 2017 (based on a file I uploaded). Can anyone help me out? Elisfkc (talk) 14:45, 27 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I'm having the same issue. Kelly (talk) 14:48, 27 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Good to know it is not just me. Elisfkc (talk) 15:05, 27 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

@Elisfkc and Kelly: See the solution here: special:diff/242261945. --Wcam (talk) 16:38, 27 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Unable to use uploaded picture

I am not able to use this picture in an article: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%9F%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%87%D0%B0.jpg — Preceding unsigned comment added by Drago pavlov (talk • contribs) 18:47, 27 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Picture

I made a Logo for my Youtube Channel using Photoshop... Can I use it for my Wiki Commons? — Preceding unsigned comment added by PrinzTyronix (talk • contribs) 23:45, 27 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

  • I'm not sure what you mean by "Can I use it for my Wiki Commons?", but if you made the logo, and it is entirely your original work, then certainly you can use it. - Jmabel ! talk 23:52, 27 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

In Wkimedia Commons and "wikimania2017.wikimedia.org", [[:fr:w:Julia Cagé|Cagé]] links to the English-language Wikipedia, not the French. This same markup in Wikiversity links to the French-language Wikipedia.

I discovered this in creating "https://wikimania2017.wikimedia.org/wiki/Submissions/Building_Wikinews_into_the_premier_news_site_worldwide".

I thought someone might want to know. DavidMCEddy (talk) 01:43, 28 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

fr:Julia Cagé and w:fr:Julia Cagé both work. According to en:Help:Interwikimedia links, fr:w:Julia Cagé should work as well, but it doesn't. As far as I know, that's been the case for a long time. —LX (talk, contribs) 09:01, 28 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks. Fixed, per your suggestion. (Thanks also to the link to en:Help:Interwikimedia links: I have trouble remembering how to find that.) DavidMCEddy (talk) 13:00, 28 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Resolved
I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. ★ Poké95 13:51, 7 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

ERROR MESSAGE WHEN SAVING

I keep getting the notice whenever trying to save a page I am working on -- Error saving data to server: Empty server response -- Why does this keep popping up? Do I have to just wait to upload content? — Preceding unsigned comment added by GriffithsHR (talk • contribs) 09:04, 28 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Similar reports at en:Special:Permalink/777675594#I can't save my edits. —LX (talk, contribs) 16:28, 28 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

unblock request

Please unblock any administrator . this user hrd2 Uvw10 12:33, 28 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Resolved
I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. ★ Poké95 13:50, 7 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Walter Crane - The Triumph of labour (1891)

I am wondering if my colorization of above mentioned black and white tribute to the 1 may 1891 is OK to upload to commons or not? A glimpse of the work can be seen on my youtube video of me working with the picture here: youtu.be/RYDsF5kTypE Regards Micael Håkans — Preceding unsigned comment added by Micael Håkans (talk • contribs) 17:08, 28 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I can not open your link but works of Walter Crane are in public domain now, so you can freely create derivatives. Ruslik (talk) 18:31, 28 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
No copyright issue, but not obviously in scope. - Jmabel ! talk 23:47, 28 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Username Change.

Resolved

I need to edit my name. I have found no way to do that. Do I have to make another account to change my name from Mike to Michael? Or can I edit it and still keep this account?

Thanks. — Preceding unsigned comment added by MikeJiroch (talk • contribs) 00:58, 29 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Resolved
I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. ★ Poké95 13:49, 7 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Error saving data to server: Empty server response - need help please

I get "Error saving data to server: Empty server response" when editing https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Vietnam_War_games

any idea why?

I tried many ways to post my changes and they all result in this error that blocks saving of the changes No answers available from googling the error or searching here, which seems very strange. I have tried to add 4 lines to a table, using links and content that is all correct and reasonable.

I added 4 lines to this table for OFP/ ArmA Unsung Vietnam War total conversion mod. http://i.imgur.com/BmiwXKS.jpg

and this is the error http://i.imgur.com/ildm3Lx.jpg — Preceding unsigned comment added by Eggbeast (talk • contribs) 12:20, 29 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

happens in firefox AND IE — Preceding unsigned comment added by Eggbeast (talk • contribs) 12:26, 29 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

ok i managed to commit an update, but i had to remove all external links to make it work. how can i post external links without getting this error please? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Eggbeast (talk • contribs) 15:18, 29 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

thanks 82.39.200.222 12:45, 29 April 2017 (UTC)Eggbeast[reply]

World War I soldier

Hi, guys. I've done some categorization on Commons, but this is the first time I'm creating a category for a soldier: Category:Béla Békéssy. Could someone check if the super-categories I've added make sense, and if I need anything more? I just don't want the page to be unnoticed because of my autopatrol bit. Thanks in advance. – b_jonas 15:31, 29 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

It looks fine. -- Asclepias (talk) 16:47, 29 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Thank you, Asclepias and Lotje. – b_jonas 18:39, 29 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Resolved
I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. ★ Poké95 13:48, 7 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Can someone upload from flickr?

hello commons community. i am looking for someones upload skills regarding some images from flickr about the LA riots 1992. it would be great if someone knows about the process of uploading from flickr, including license questions, and could upload images.--Joobo (talk) 17:49, 29 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

[Ticket #2017032210019465] 'Tallest Churches'

Regarding my article on St. Anthony's Church in Toledo, Ohio, I just noticed 3 typos and I'm asking if you can correct them on my behalf.

Paragraph #1, line #6 should read 'another on September 1, 1889 for a rectory, for $900'. Paragraph #6, line #1 should read 'at a cost of about $3,700. Paragraph #9 should end 'at a cost of $16,000'. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Musicwriter (talk • contribs) 19:15, 29 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Please, provide a link to the article in question. Ruslik (talk) 20:28, 29 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Mystery message from bot, and longstanding unprocessed OTRS emails

I'd appreciate help with both of these:

  • (a) I have no idea what the bot is complaining about here [2]. How is {{Cc-by-sa-4.0}}, which is right there on the description page, "not a license"???
  • (b) I'm really getting nervous about this [3].

EEng (talk) 02:54, 30 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

@EEng: Those emails in (b) have been received and are in queue. Please understand that the current backlog of the (English) permissions-commons queue is 53 days.   — Jeff G. ツ 03:22, 30 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
OK, thanks, that's fine. What troubled me is that other permissions emails that I know were sent later were processed long ago. Now, what about (a)? What's the issue there? EEng (talk) 03:43, 30 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
The bot was complaining about the first version [4], which didn't have a license template. --ghouston (talk) 04:48, 30 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Um, would you be surprised if I said that was a completely useless thing for it to do? EEng (talk) 05:46, 30 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Only with hindsight. It didn't know you were going to add a license two minutes later. --ghouston (talk) 05:56, 30 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
@EEng: If at first you don't add a license, that bot's going to get you.   — Jeff G. ツ 07:55, 30 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
  • Wait a second. I have to apologize to everyone. I come to Commons so seldom, and when the Notifications thingamajig said "Mifterbot left a message on your talk page", I didn't realize that was 19 days ago. I thought it was today. EEng (talk) 08:05, 30 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Resolved
I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. Case solved then. ★ Poké95 13:48, 7 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Contribution

I have submitted a new entry for Magdalene Harriet May Capes, which doesn't seem to be available?? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ian Burns (talk • contribs) 07:22, 30 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]

@Ian Burns: It is at en:Draft:Magdalene Harriet May Capes on English Wikipedia.   — Jeff G. ツ 07:50, 30 April 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Resolved
I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. ★ Poké95 13:45, 7 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Cannot upload SVG files that contain a non-standard DTD declaration

I just downloaded File:Atranes.svg and made some manual adjustments in a text editor. When trying to upload it, I got this error message. The DTD declaration in the file is:

<!DOCTYPE svg PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD SVG 1.0//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/SVG/DTD/svg10.dtd">

which I double-checked that I did not alter. I don't know much about the technical details of the SVG headers, but apparently something that used to be allowed now isn't. What do I need to change to make this file acceptable now? DMacks (talk) 03:49, 1 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

May be version 1.0 is not supported? Ruslik (talk) 19:45, 1 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Try testing it with Commons:Commons SVG Checker and see if it throws any errors. I just downloaded the original file and tried uploading it without any modifications at File:Test.svg and it gave me the same non-standard DTD declaration warning. Uploading at the W3 validator advised me to change the doctype declaration to:
<!DOCTYPE svg PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD SVG 1.0//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/2001/REC-SVG-20010904/DTD/svg10.dtd">
It should upload after that. clpo13(talk) 21:46, 1 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Yup. Thanks! DMacks (talk) 13:03, 4 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

help me

How to create a page on commons? can I upload a media file direct to a page? Please answer me anyone.--Zoc2 (talk) 04:06, 2 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

@Zoc2: The mainspace pages here at Wikimedia Commons are galleries, they have their own style, unlike the styles of other projects like English Wikipedia. You already uploaded a media file, but it was out of scope. What are you trying to do here?   — Jeff G. ツ 06:01, 2 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Upload Wizard disappear in Ukrainian localization

Hi. While I open Main Page with English I Upload link in left toolbar point to Special:UploadWizard. While I open it with Ukrainian language I see here link to Commons:Upload/uk. I have no idea where it could be fixed and how localization works here. Please look it who know where it could be tuned. Artem.komisarenko (talk) 06:30, 2 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

So, it looks like it's broken for me from time to time because network issue(?). By default page show Commons:Upload/uk then fix it with javascript and sometimes this javascript failed or hangs. Artem.komisarenko (talk) 06:53, 2 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Greetings,

I'm trying to create an article related to a school in Asuncion, Paraguay (Campoalto School). The school's seal is publicly known, as they show it in adverts and public information (website: http://campoalto.edu.py/). Is it against intellectual property rights to use a school's seal for an Wikipedia article?

Thanks in advance.

--Regopy (talk) 23:11, 2 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

  • When I try clicking on http://campoalto.edu.py/, it seems to go into some sort of loading mode, and 30 seconds later it's not out of that, so I won't be able to see the logo there.
  • You don't ask if it is OK to upload to Wikimedia Commons, but since that is the site where you are asking the question, I assume that is implicit. Without seeing the logo it is hard to say definitively, but quite probably it is not OK to upload the logo here. "Publicly known" has nothing to do with the matter: you have provided no reason to think the logo is in the public domain, so we would need a free license from the copyright holder, which we are unlikely to get.
  • You ask about using the logo in a Wikipedia article; you don't say in what language. Each language Wikipedia has its own rules about non-free use. If you are talking about the English-language Wikipedia (since that is the language in which you pose the question) you can upload with en:Special:Upload. Instead of the {{Information}} template, use en:Template:Non-free use rationale or another more specific template from that Wikipedia related to logos. - Jmabel ! talk 00:30, 3 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Privacy concerns?

I just came across the photo File:Mock Court at Kidzania Bangkok.jpg, and ... well, do we have a policy on photos like this?

I don't see anywhere in the image description where the uploader indicates he/she got permission from the parents of the children whose faces are clearly visible/identifiable in the image to upload it to Wikimedia Commons, and whenever I have uploaded my own photos I recall being asked questions about copyright and licensing, but not whether my photos depicted private individuals who had not directly consented to me uploading (or maybe even taking) their picture. I don't know what the laws in Thailand (where the picture was taken) or the US (where the Foundation is based and by whose laws English Wikipedia typically abides) are, but in Japan (my gaff) if I visit a venue where there are kids, I need permission even to take photos for private use (I know this because I used to work in a government office where I visited local nursery schools; my office expected me to take photos for internal records, and the schools had a lot of red tape when it came to that), and uploading is definitely out of the question. I know it's a private entertainment facility and not a school, but still...

I guess my concern would apply more broadly to any photo of a public place where people's faces are clearly visible but they didn't necessarily give their permission to be photographed, or any private venue where the owners restrict photography. Technically in either of these cases, an uploader could violate a whole bunch of private agreements and serious ethical guidelines, but not necessarily be in violation of Commons's copyright restrictions.

Has this kind of issue been discussed before? Am I just being an ethical stickler?

Hijiri88 (talk) 07:45, 3 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Hijiri88: Not only has it been discussed before – we have guidelines in place: Commons:Photographs of identifiable people. Unfortunately, we're missing information on the legal situation in Thailand. —LX (talk, contribs) 16:46, 3 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
It is a mock court and it was likely intended to be public as any theatrical performance. Ruslik (talk) 20:56, 3 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Завантаження фотографій на Вікі любить пам'ятки/Дніпропетровська область/Покров

Доброго дня! Скажіть, будь ласка,чому фотографії, завантажені мною,не відображаються у списку пам'яток Дніпропетровської області. — Preceding unsigned comment added by SmyslovaLarisa (talk • contribs) 11:14, 3 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Theater tickets

Can I upload an image file of a theater ticket from a musical play in 1984 in Canada? I am unsure on the copyright laws of a ticket image. Keneckert (talk) 13:44, 3 May 2017 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Keneckert (talk • contribs) 13:18, 3 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

معلومات حول كيفية رفع الملفات

مرحبا.من فضلكم اريد معرفة انواع الملفات المسموح برفعها — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ninoprine (talk • contribs) 09:28, 4 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Preview button missing from file-upload

At Special:Upload (the "old" upload form), there used to be a preview button for the File description. I went to upload a file just now, and it seems to be missing. Anyone know where it went? DMacks (talk) 13:38, 4 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Factitious Characters

I made up a character and want to make a Wiki page for him. Am I allowed to do this? — Preceding unsigned comment added by ThePhiladelphian (talk • contribs) 15:03, 4 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

That sounds completely outside of Commons' project scope. —LX (talk, contribs) 18:27, 4 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Please do that on the English Wikipedia, not here. Note though that your character must be notable enough to have an article in Wikipedia, otherwise it won't be going anywhere of the Wikimedia wikis. Thanks, ★ Poké95 13:43, 7 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Resolved
I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. ★ Poké95 13:43, 7 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Copyright help regarding File:North Carolina's 12th congressional district post Feb 2016.png

What is the right tag for this image? It's public domain, see wikipedia:Copyright_status_of_work_by_U.S._subnational_governments#North_Carolina but I don't know what tag is appropriate for that --Lordgilman (talk) 16:40, 4 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

upload a file

hi, i wanna know how to upload or create a page in wikipedia, if I try to upload it in word or .txt the system won't allow it — Preceding unsigned comment added by Fernanda.profectus (talk • contribs) 18:36, 4 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

You are not on Wikipedia right now. If you look at the address bar of your browser (a good habit to get into to avoid falling victim to phishing), you'll notice that you're on Wikimedia Commons, a repository of free, educational media files used by Wikipedia, other Wikimedia projects, and others.
You don't upload pages to Wikipedia, you create them directly on that site by editing the wiki markup. For the English language edition of Wikipedia, see en:Wikipedia:Your first article. —LX (talk, contribs) 18:41, 4 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

uploading an image

Hi, I was editing the wiki page for resilin, and needed to upload an image. I drew a picture of resilin's mechanism of action using google drawing. It is entirely my own work, but wiki wouldn't left me upload it, because it cannot verify if the image is my own work. What should I do? Thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by MTLE4470 grp10 yd (talk • contribs) 00:03, 5 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Dünyayi Kurtaran Adam/The Man Who Saved The World

I am wondering if I can upload a Turkish film known as Dünyayi Kurtaran Adam. I am not sure if I can upload it; it has no copyright seen, BUT has a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported licence (license). I just want to double check if I am ALLOWED to upload the file. Nine-Tailed Kitsune (talk) 17:32, 5 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

See Commons:Licensing and Commons:Creative Commons copyright tags. So - no, you aren't. --Magnus (talk) 17:49, 5 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
More specifically, we don't allow a ban on either commercial use or derivatives. - Jmabel ! talk 23:44, 5 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Can I add a screenshot of a graphics algorithm I coded working for a company on an open source project?

Greetings,

I wrote some code on shadow-mapping for Google's open-source graphics engine Skia this summer as part of my summer internship for them.

Technically, all the work I produced that summer belongs to Google - however, in a sense it is my work - but at the same time, producing it required using another separate library - but that library is open source!

Is there a clear answer to this? Should I try to contact Google for clarification?

Thanks! — Preceding unsigned comment added by VjiaoBlack (talk • contribs) 19:07, 5 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

  • The copyright question is between you and Google, and without seeing your employment contract I couldn't say who owns the copyright. Doesn't the source file itself say who holds the copyright? If the code has been published without stating that that's quite an oversight. - Jmabel ! talk 23:46, 5 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

If I may trouble my esteemed fellow editors for a moment...

Can an admin who isn't afraid to explain his thinking please give me an answer here [5]. I'm sorry that thread is so long, but it's that way because I keep getting dodges instead of an answer to my question. EEng (talk) 20:57, 5 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Speaking as a random admin: what they seem to be saying is that the ownership of copyright may be unclear, and therefore (based on the precautionary principle) we have to say "no", unless and until that can be clarified. - Jmabel ! talk 23:54, 5 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Yes, but why? Did you read my question? Why is this being questioned any more than hundreds of identical releases accepted every day? EEng (talk) 00:07, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
@EEng: The short answer is that we respect copyrights, and if the photographer shows up, we and our reusers don't want to get sued for copyright infringement.   — Jeff G. ツ 07:04, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
You know, this is really getting to be comic. I don't need any explanations about how copyrights work, or the need to respect them, as in my professional life I'm a consulting expert on intellectual property. The question, which I am now asking for the fifth or sixth time, is this:
Why is this PARTICULAR release, which is exactly the standard release text supplied by Commons itself for content donors to use, being questioned? How is the fact situation here any different from that attendant to hundreds of others which arise each day, which are not questioned?
I don't want the short answer, the quick answer, the simple answer, the high-handed this-is-what-I-can-offer-you answer, or the I-didn't-read-the-thread-so-I-don't-know-what-the-issue-is-but-I'll-just-add-my-two-cents-anyway answer; I want the answer to that question. Now, can you or anybody else give me that? And, as I expect I know what the (illogical) answer I receive will be, will you (or whoever else has the courtesy, at long last, to intelligently engage this issue) stay with the conversation long enough to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion, instead of just falling silent when you can't figure out what to say? EEng (talk) 07:23, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
@EEng: He is the subject of a photo taken from some distance. The odds that he took the photo were rather slim in the late 60s.   — Jeff G. ツ 07:31, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
OK, great. Now, what exactly does that have to do with it, since the donor/subject isn't claiming that he took it, merely that he owns it? EEng (talk) 07:36, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
@EEng: We need to attribute the photo to the photographer per every CC license with a BY section (all but CC-0). If we suspect a copyright was transferred, we need a good answer as to how that happened, stored in our files in case of litigation and for peer review. We don't have even a whiff of an answer to that yet on a user talk page, let alone in our files, and so we wait.   — Jeff G. ツ 07:52, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
No, what the license [6] requires is that licensees retain the following if it is supplied by the Licensor with the Licensed Material: (i) identification of the creator(s) of the Licensed Material ... (italics added).
As to If we suspect a copyright was transferred, we need a good answer as to how that happened, that's certainly not a legal requirement, since you're entitled to rely in good faith on the facts affirmed in the release received. If that's nonetheless a procedural practice of Commons, can you explain why there's nothing at Commons:Email_templates saying so? EEng (talk) 08:13, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
@EEng: I don't know, I didn't write those documents, but I have to go, sorry.   — Jeff G. ツ 08:31, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
I guess we've arrived at the part where, as predicted, you'd fall silent when you can't figure out what to say. You didn't write the documents – fine. But you must have got the idea that If we suspect a copyright was transferred, we need a good answer as to how that happened from somewhere. Can you point to that, so I'll know that this Kafkaesque odyssey has, after all, some rational basis? EEng (talk) 08:39, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Wait, don't worry about it. I believe Yann will be able to answer my questions. EEng (talk) 09:07, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
@EEng: (ec) It is a bit difficult to accept a permission when the author is unknown. Personally I would accept it if the client provides a reasonable rationale why he owns the copyright. Regards, Yann (talk) 07:55, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
It's not at all strange that the creator of an image taken fifty years ago might be unknown, and there are nonetheless any number of ways by which copyright might nonetheless be owned by someone other than the creator. (It could have been a work for hire; it could have been owned by Harvard but transferred to the subject for use in his published papers; maybe his mother took it and he inherited it from her...) But we come back to the question I've asked now, a half-dozen times, which is that if you're not willing to accept the content donor's affirmation of ownership on its face, why in hell do you supply release text for them to use that asserts exactly that, without anything anywhere to indicate that you won't accept it? EEng (talk) 08:13, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
@EEng: I do usually accept the content donor's affirmation of ownership on its face unless there is an indication it is false. But we very often have OTRS clients and contributors who do not understand how copyright works, and who think that the picture owner or the subject is the copyright owner, which is false. Some others think that the copyright disappeared because the photographer is unknown. That's why an indication that the client knows that is required. Regards, Yann (talk) 08:42, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Yann, I really appreciate your taking the time to give me answers which are at least logical and self-consistent – a novelty in my conversations on this problem so far. I always figured this was the heart of the problem, but since I couldn't get anyone, until you, to stay with the conversation long enough to get to this point, I've never been able to address it. I'd like to ask you to do two things:

(a) That you consider, in considering the disposition of this image, whether you believe can assume that the content donor issuing the release (who among other things is the author of [7]) probably does understand the meaning of the release he issued? I'd appreciate it if you could spare me the embarrassment of going back to him and saying, "Prove to me you own it."
(b) That you and I work together to modify two or three of the instruction pages here at Commons to avoid problems like this for content donors in the future.

EEng (talk) 09:07, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

@EEng: a) You would be surprised to know who claims what about copyright. Even famous people, or official representatives of big corporations claim things which do not exist. Here the additional issue is that the image is old, and it is quite possible that nobody remembers who took the picture, but not old enough so that the copyright has expired. The difficult task for OTRS volunteers to be diplomatic when requesting more information, or declining invalid claims. At the very least, the client needs to say who has to be credited as copyright owner. "I don't know", "nobody", or "I don't remember" can't be valid answers.
b) Contrary to what most people think, copyright is a very complex matter, and it is quite challenging to explain it for non professionals. I am not a lawyer nor a native English speaker, but our instructions could certainly be improved. Regards, Yann (talk) 10:05, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
Again, Yann, I appreciate the time that you're taking the time to discuss this intelligently, but now I'm puzzled again. You say that "the client" (by which I assume you mean the person issuing the release) "needs to say who has to be credited as copyright owner". He's already told you who the copyright owner is: himself. EEng (talk) 15:48, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
@EEng: File:HarryRLewis Harvard demonstrating SHAPESHIFTER 1967or1968.jpg says that the author is "unknown". Regards, Yann (talk) 16:33, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
What does that have to do with anything? Per the documentation at Template:Information, the Author is the "Original author of the file"; that person is unknown. The author is distinct from the copyright owner, and that is not unknown: it's in the release. EEng (talk) 17:07, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
That is the whole point of what I say above. If the author is unknown, it can't be released under a free license. Regards, Yann (talk) 17:18, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
What??? You just said, "At the very least, the client needs to say who has to be credited as copyright owner." Now you're saying the author needs to be known. The Author has nothing to do with it, and (as already pointed out above) the license explicitly contemplates that the author might be unknown. Can you, please, point to something in writing that sets out the rules and requirements, so we can resolve this? We're going round and round in circles. EEng (talk) 17:24, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
I am also a bit tired to repeat the same thing. Evidence shows that the uploader doesn't know or remember who took his picture, but claims to be the copyright owner. Sorry, but it doesn't work that way. Regards, Yann (talk) 18:49, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

@EEng: With all due respect, you came here asking for comment by admins. Several of us have answered you, all of us are basically in agreement with each other, and you keep just arguing with us. It seems to me like you are wanting to keep fishing until you can find an admin who will take your side, but given the number of us who have spoken up here and in the original discussion, it is pretty clear that if you can find such a person, they will be a lone voice disagreeing with a pretty broad consensus that the authorship of the photo is unclear, and the claim of ownership of copyright strikes us as weakly founded, however prestigious the person making it. Why is it so important that this particular image be on Commons? We aren't telling you you can't use it elsewhere and take your own chances. We are saying that we don't see the copyright claim as solid enough, at least on the basis of evidence provided so far, for us in our administrative capacities on Commons to be comfortable with having Commons effectively endorse the claim. - Jmabel ! talk 19:03, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

It seems to me like you are wanting to keep fishing until you can find an admin who will take your side. No. What I wanted, at first, was someone who could explain coherently what the requirement is; even you, now, are saying that the authorship of the photo is unclear – it's not unclear, it's completely unknown, and as I've pointed out over and over, and surely you must know, the author of the work isn't required – the owner is. Since, so far, every participant here seems unable even to distinguish the concept of author from that of copyright owner, I gave up on that, and am now asking for someone to point to the actual requirements written somewhere, so I can just see for myself. Can you do that? You say there's pretty broad consensus, except not one of you can coherently explain what the basis of his/her reasoning is; you just keep jumping from one unsupported statement of requirements to another. It appears there are no actual procedures or standards here, just people making it up as they go along. So, one more time,
where are the rules/concepts/procedures/guiding principles/whatever, that you claim to be adhering to, written down? EEng (talk) 19:08, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Arbor-treeish break

@EEng: "A license can only be granted by the copyright holder, which is usually the author (photographer, painter or similar)" at Commons:Licensing#Acceptable_licenses, combined with Commons:Project scope/Precautionary principle. Also, if you truly have access to the original photographic negative or a positive print from the first printing, why upload such a dark low-resolution representation of it?   — Jeff G. ツ 20:05, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
I'll get to the two links you provided in a second, but first, what in the world are you talking about re if you truly have access to the original photographic photographic negative or positive print and so on? I never said anything like that, and what in the world does that have to do with anything? I obtained the image from http://catchthewave.seas.harvard.edu/ (where, as I've pointed out several times now, it's labeled 'COURTESY OF HARRY LEWIS'.) EEng (talk) 20:18, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Why can't I edit pages?

This was the only place that I could ask this question. The reason is self-explanatory. I CAN'T EDIT PAGES!!! Why is this?? Is it because I am a new user? If so, how long until I can edit pages? What is going on? FYI, I use the iOS version. Is this why? What should I do? X4nMan20Oo (talk) 13:26, 5 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I especially cannot edit pages that I created. What is happening? X4nMan20Oo (talk) 13:33, 5 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

  • Just to be clear: are you talking about not being able to edit Wikimedia Commons (this site) or something else? Because if you can edit this, you should be able to edit any non-protected page on Commons. Are you saying you can't edit (for example) your own user page or a page for a file you uploaded? Because these are the only sort of pages you've created on this site. - Jmabel ! talk

Yes, to make this clear, I AM talking about Wikimedia Commons. In regards to my question, it might've been the Internet server I was using at the time. I can edit some pages, but on a lot of them, it gets glitched out. Like, I try to exit the page, but it brings me right back to the editing page. Is this the reason? Or maybe it's just files? Please give me an answer. X4nMan20Oo (talk) 20:40, 5 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Участие в конкурсе "Вики любит Землю 2017"

Здравствуйте! На сайте было объяснение "Загрузить фотографии по ссылкам из списка (для каждого объекта — своя ссылка)" Я нашла только одну ссылку - Лучший баннер для статей Викигида Где список остальных ссылок? — Preceding unsigned comment added by AEndeko (talk • contribs) 14:18, 7 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Using own work elsewhere

If I upload my own work under my user name can use that same work elsewhere under my own name without attribution to wikimedia? Constant314 (talk) 14:49, 7 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

  • Absolutely. But if you upload it somewhere else first and don't indicate a Commons-appropriate license there, then when you upload to Commons you will need to follow COM:OTRS so we know you are not a different person plagiarizing that other site. - Jmabel ! talk 16:07, 7 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]
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