[Wikipedia-l] file uploads

[Derek Ross]

GIF is in itself a copyrighted, or rather a patented, file format.
Therefore it is just as legally problematic to upload GIF images to the
Wikipedia without permission from the patent-holder as it is to upload any
other form of copyrighted material without the permission of the
copyright-holder.

If we aren't allowing other forms of copyright material, why are we allowing
GIF materials ?  I strongly recommend that we don't in order to reduce
Wikipedia's exposure to possible legal problems.

Cheers

Derek

----- Original Message -----
From: <lcrocker at nupedia.com>
To: <wikipedia-l at nupedia.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 09, 2002 6:27 AM
Subject: Re: [Wikipedia-l] file uploads


>
> I redid this whole area from scratch in the new codebase.  Let
> me know if my changes address your concerns.  It allows deletion
> of files, revision histories, lists what pages link to which images
> (the database is a bit out-of date on that--but the features work
> in the software).  Currently it warns about, but does not restrict,
> the uploading of files other than PNG, JPEG, and GIF.  I can easily
> be talked into eliminating GIF from that list and adding OGG, and
> we might want to add a feature for being able to include sounds,
> especially for things like pronunciations of words.
>
> As always, I welcome bug reports and suggestions.
>
> http://www.piclab.com/newwiki/wiki.phtml
>