On 7/12/07, Erik Moeller erik@wikimedia.org wrote:
As co-author of the Foundation's licensing policy, it was my intention to ensure that WMF projects have the freedom and flexibility to draft a fair use policy or similar "exemption doctrine policy" in line with established practices and beliefs of a given community. For example, I have no problem with fair use pictures being used to identify contemporary works where a free content image is not available. But I think the decision needs to be made by the community as a whole.
If no consensus can be found, rather than asking the WMF Board to make a final decision, how about organizing a community poll on the different options?
I guarantee you that no consensus will evolve. There has been massive contention on virtually every aspect of fair use issues on en.wikipedia. In no way can the enormity of the debates be overstated.
If you expect en.wikipedia to come into compliance with the resolution on licensing policy, more will be needed.
I fully recognize that the role of the foundation is not to get to the level of granularity of individual projects. Nevertheless, I am asking for help. We need clearer direction, with a considerably clearer bright line on what is and what is not acceptable use.
-Durin