On 7/14/05, Anthere anthere9@yahoo.com wrote:
I think there are two things we should remember
First, the fact that DB are only in USA right now, does not mean no DB will ever be in other countries. It could happen sooner than expected and within the precautionary principle, I'd say it is probably a good idea to avoid using fair use image as much as possible.
Second, we should not forget we are not building an unique central resource for final users, but building a resource to be used by anyone. While we repeat over and over that our resource is free to use, this is only true for text and as such potentially confusing for those reusing the entirery of the content. I feel that each time we provide an image which is only "with permission for wikipedia" or "fair use (in the USA)", we are bringing confusion to those reusing our content, as they may not realise *they* have no permission to use the image, or are using an image illegal in their country.
It is embarassing. It is not just a "legal" issue, that is an ethical issue.
ant
Nyenyec N a écrit:
This is somewhat related to the ongoing "fair use" discussion.
AFAIK, there are Wikipedia servers in Paris and Amsterdam.
Is it OK for Wikipedia to use an image under U.S. copyright law based on "fair use" and the given image is hosted on French or Dutch server and is served to French or Dutch clients but is copyrighted under French or Dutch law? Isn't that a copyright violation?
(I assumed that there is no equivalent of "fair use" in France or in the Netherlands, but I really don't have a clue...)
Wouldn't this be a problem as more and more servers are installed in an increasing number of countries?
Thanks, nyenyec
It's people having their heads in the sand is what it is.
The incorporation of "fair use" images in Wikipedia ensures that the encyclopaedia as a whole cannot straightforwardly be used/redistributed outside of the US.
The grand theories of a free resource for all ring hollow with so much work required to create a redistribution of the encyclopaedia, omitting the non-GFDL images, but including all the great free licence ones that are there.
Zoney