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Wikipedia:Copyright problems
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ATTENTION: For blatant copyright infringements:
- If there is a clean revision in the page history, revert to it.
- If not, and it meets the criteria, request speedy deletion with {{db-copyvio|url=http://www.WhereItCameFrom.tld/}}
- If it does not meet the criteria or you are not sure who originally authored the material, list it here instead for investigation.
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This page is for listing and discussing possible copyright problems involving text on Wikipedia, including pages which are suspected to be copyright violations. For images that are clear copyright violations, follow the procedure for speedy deletion; list images that are suspected to be copyright violations at possibly unfree images and images with disputed fair use rationales at Non-free content review.
Copyright owners
If you believe Wikipedia is infringing your copyright, you may request immediate removal of the copyright violation. Alternatively, you may contact Wikipedia's designated agent under the terms of the Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act.
Copyright owners who submitted their own work to Wikipedia
If you submitted work to Wikipedia which you had previously published (especially online), and your submission was marked as a potential infringement of copyright, then stating on the article's talk page that you are the copyright holder of the work, while not likely to prevent deletion, helps. It is sufficient to either:
See also Wikipedia:Donating copyrighted materials.
What's copyrighted?
Copyright exists automatically upon creation in a tangible form. An author does not need to apply for or even claim copyright for a copyright to exist. Only an explicit statement that the material is in the public domain, licensed with the GFDL, or is otherwise compatible with the GFDL, makes material reusable under current policy, unless it is inherently in the public domain due to age or source.
What about fair use?
Under guidelines for non-free content, brief selections of copyrighted text may be used, but only with full attribution.
If you see an article somewhere else which was copied from Wikipedia without attribution, visit the GFDL compliance page or meta:Non-compliant site coordination.
Purge server cache if recent edits are not visible.
Plagiarism that does not infringe copyright
Wikipedia will naturally refer to and include some material that comes from outside sources. This material may be in the public domain, may be included under a fair use argument, or it may be under a license compatible with the license used on Wikipedia, the GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL). Examples of public-domain works include text and images from United States Government publications, and older works—such as the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica—that are no longer, or never were, covered by copyright. Some further examples are at Category:Attribution templates.
Even when material is not covered by copyright, it is still important to state its origin, including its authors or creators. Failure to include the origin of a work is misleading and also makes it more difficult for readers and editors to refer to the material's source. It may also violate the terms of the GFDL.
Material that is plagiarised but which does not violate copyright does not need to be removed from Wikipedia if it can be properly sourced. Add appropriate source information to the article wherever possible, or move unsourced material to an article's talk page until sources can be found.
If an editor has copied text or figures into Wikipedia without proper attribution, politely refer him to Wikipedia:Verifiability, Wikipedia:Citing sources, and/or Help:Citations quick reference. Editors who have difficulties or questions about this guidance can be referred to the Help Desk. Editors engaged in ongoing plagiarism who do not respond to polite requests may be blocked from editing.
Repeated copyright violations
Contributors who repeatedly post copyrighted material after appropriate warnings will be blocked from editing to protect the project, see 17 United States Code 512.
Instructions
Material whose presence on Wikipedia infringes copyright (ie. the material is not Public Domain, licensed under the GFDL or specifically licensed to Wikipedia on suitable terms) should, as a general rule, be removed.
Blatant copyright infringements may be speedily deleted if:
- Material was copied from another website which does not have a license compatible with Wikipedia;
- There is no non-infringing content in the page history worth saving.
- The text on Wikipedia really is an infringement of another source (Wikipedia has numerous mirrors — Make sure we're copying someone else, not the other way around)
- Uploader does not assert permission, or the assertion is questionable
After notifying the uploading editor, add one of these to the page:
- {{db-copyvio | url=insert URL of source here}}
- {{db-copyvio | describe non-web source here}}
An administrator will examine the article and decide whether to delete it or not. You should not blank the page in this instance.
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If infringement is not blatant or the speedy deletion criteria do not apply:
- Revert the page to a non-copyrighted version if you can
- The infringing text will remain in the page history for archival reasons unless the copyright holder asks the Wikimedia Foundation to remove it.
- However, if all revisions have copyright problems:
- Place on the page one of the following:
- {{subst:copyvio | url=insert URL here}}
- {{subst:copyvio | identify non-web source here}}
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- This will blank all text beneath the template. (To limit blanking, place </div> at the end of the text to be blanked.)
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- Go to today's section and add
- * {{subst:article-cv | PageName}} from insert URL or identify non-web source here ~~~~
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- to the bottom of the list. Put the page's name in place of "PageName". If you do not have a URL, enter a description of the source. (This text can be copied from the top of the template after substituting it and the page name and url will be filled for you)
- Advise the contributor of the material at his or talk page. The template on the now blanked page supplies a notice you may use for that purpose.
- You're done!
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Instructions for special cases
- Probable copyvios without a known source: If you suspect that an article contains a copyright violation, but you cannot find a source for the violation (so you can't be sure that it's a violation), do not list it here. Instead, place {{cv-unsure|~~~|2=FULL_URL}} on the article's talk page, but replace FULL_URL with the full URL of the article version that you believe contains a violation. (To determine the URL, click on "Permanent link" in the toolbox area, and copy the URL.)
Alternatives to deletion
In addition to nominating potential copyright infringements for deletion, you may:
- Rewrite the article, excluding copyrighted text. This is done on a temporary page at Talk:PAGENAME/Temp so that the original, copyright-infringing version can be deleted by an administrator and the rewrite copied over. If the original turns out to be non-infringing, these two can be merged.
- Write to the owner and Ask for permission. Check whether they gave or will give permission (or maybe they in fact posted it here!). Also see Wikipedia:Example requests for permission, Wikipedia:Confirmation of permission.
Instructions for administrators
Pages should stay listed for a minimum of 7 days before they are checked and processed by administrators. See Wikipedia:Copyright problems/Advice for admins for some help.
All pages tagged with {{copyvio}} are placed in Category:Possible copyright violations.
See also
Listings of possible copyright problems
Very old issues
Remaining older issues, consolidated
- Rick Benjamin (conductor) (history · last edit) from cited articles. Tagishsimon (talk) 22:31, 18 November 2008 (UTC)
- This one is going to take a while to clean, as the contributor has not only shown a tendency to overuse quotations, but also to copy verbatim from his sources without quotation marks. (I don't see any reason to suspect intentional infringement. He is, if anything, overscrupulous about citing sources.) I'm consolidating this one until it can be addressed. Unless somebody who is not off for a Thanksgiving Holiday gets to it first, I should be able to clean it Monday or Tuesday of next week. Consolidating. Please note resolution other than deletion here. --Moonriddengirl (talk) 00:11, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
Older than 7 days
- Below are articles and images that have been listed here for longer than 7 days, but have not yet been dealt with.
New listings
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- If the copyvio material is removed, thats the best we can do for right now. It likely won't survive prod, there's no assertion of notability. Mister Senseless™ (Speak - Contributions) 23:45, 25 November 2008 (UTC)
- The tag on the article didn't blank the whole article, just part of it...apparently implying that parts of the article aren't copyvio. But from what I can tell, the rest of the article is also plagiarized from here. I think the whole damn thing should be speedied. —Politizer talk/contribs 00:03, 26 November 2008 (UTC)
- Tagged. Mister Senseless™ (Speak - Contributions) 00:40, 26 November 2008 (UTC)
- Mestre Barrão (history · last edit) from [8]. 166.20.24.144 (talk) 18:37, 25 November 2008 (UTC)
- Quanta Computer, Inc. v. LG Electronics, Inc. (history · last edit) from [9]. Orlady (talk) 20:31, 25 November 2008 (UTC) -- I removed the copyvio template from this article due to the CC license that is now posted on http://docs.law.gwu.edu/facweb/claw/rhs2.htm --Orlady (talk) 23:16, 25 November 2008 (UTC)
- Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston (history · last edit) from [10]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 26 November 2008 (UTC)
- City Slicker Farms (history · last edit) from [11]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 26 November 2008 (UTC)
- Cross-drive steering transmission (history · last edit) from [12]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 26 November 2008 (UTC)
- Sara melson (history · last edit) from [13]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 26 November 2008 (UTC)
- Vasquez collars (history · last edit) from [14]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 26 November 2008 (UTC)
I am the official of Changsha University of Science and Technology, I have the authorization from the university.
- List of islands of Kuwait (history · last edit) from various pages of [www.freekuwait.org/english/index.html]. --Man77talk 17:11, 26 November 2008 (UTC)
- Silat Cekak (history · last edit) from [17]. • Gene93k (talk) 19:24, 26 November 2008 (UTC)
- American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (history · last edit) from [18]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- Kenny Easterday (history · last edit) from [19]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
Y Infringement seems reversed. See article's talk for details. --Moonriddengirl (talk) 12:49, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- Kshatriyakund (history · last edit) from [20]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- Lady Xie (history · last edit) from [21]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- Mira godard (history · last edit) from [22]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- ProPhet ElijaH (history · last edit) from [23]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- Sara Melson (history · last edit) from [24]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- Vikas engine (history · last edit) from [25]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- Drewton Tunnel (history · last edit) (url not detected). Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- Inherent Vice (history · last edit) (url not detected). Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- Wahiba Sands (history · last edit) (url not detected). Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- Slovart Records (history · last edit) from [26]. Relisting from Wikipedia:Copyright problems/2008 November 19. Contributor had not been notified. Moonriddengirl (talk) 00:15, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- Andrew Jolivette (history · last edit) from [27]. Drilnoth (talk) 01:53, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- Wilson's Heart (history · last edit) from [28]. Bwrs (talk) 03:41, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- Sydney University Education and Social Work Society (history · last edit) from [29]. PB666 yap 05:36, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- True African Gorilla Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable and Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda (history · last edit) from [30]. WWGB (talk) 10:17, 27 November 2008 (UTC)
- Come Ye Thankful People, Come (history · last edit) from [31]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 28 November 2008 (UTC)
- Redirected to existing article. Not a copyvio necessarily, as lyrics are public domain (unsure the license on the midi), but redundant. --Moonriddengirl (talk) 01:10, 1 December 2008 (UTC)
- List of United States Senators in the 79th Congress by seniority (history · last edit) from [32]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 28 November 2008 (UTC)
- This is a GFDL infringement, evidently. I'm in the process of resolving. --Moonriddengirl (talk) 00:25, 1 December 2008 (UTC)
- Metairie Park Country Day School (history · last edit) from [33]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 28 November 2008 (UTC)
- QSV (history · last edit) from [34]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 28 November 2008 (UTC)
- Wyoming State Geological Survey (history · last edit) from [35]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 28 November 2008 (UTC)
- Event recording of Joseon (history · last edit) from [portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=22329&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html]. Drilnoth (talk) 02:49, 30 November 2008 (UTC)
- Kasautii Zindagii Kay Storylines (history · last edit) from [49]. Davidelit (talk) 06:11, 30 November 2008 (UTC)
- Planet of the Apes (TV series) (history · last edit) from [Timeline of the Planet of the Apes: The Definitive Chronology by Rich Handley]. Duggy 1138 (talk) 13:29, 30 November 2008 (UTC)
- Norwich 12 (history · last edit) from [50], [51], and [52]. 65.78.13.238 (talk) 15:14, 30 November 2008 (UTC)
- Martin School of International Studies (history · last edit) from [53]. Relisting from Wikipedia:Copyright problems/2008 November 20; am advising contributor how to address. Moonriddengirl (talk) 21:15, 30 November 2008 (UTC)
- Calvary Wakefield Hospital (history · last edit) from [54]. relisting. Contributor attempted to revise, but did not revise sufficiently. Advising how to proceed. Moonriddengirl (talk) 22:43, 30 November 2008 (UTC)
- Pauly & C. - Compagnia Venezia Murano (history · last edit) from [55]. Appears to be a direct translation of the companies Italian webpage. I am unclear as to what the copyright situation is with a literal translation with no paraphrasing. Mfield (talk) 23:33, 30 November 2008 (UTC)
- Baliuag, Bulacan (history · last edit) from [56]. Moonriddengirl (talk) 23:41, 30 November 2008 (UTC)
- Brij Singh (history · last edit) from [58]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 1 December 2008 (UTC)
- Capital rationing (history · last edit) from [59]. Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 1 December 2008 (UTC)
- The flesh merchant (history · last edit) (url not detected). Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 1 December 2008 (UTC)
- Thesaurus Linguae Latinae (history · last edit) (url not detected). Nomination completed by DumbBOT (talk) 00:13, 1 December 2008 (UTC)
Infringement seems reversed. See article's talk for details. --Moonriddengirl (talk) 12:49, 27 November 2008 (UTC)