 | 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
editThe 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
editMaterial 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.