Chris Jenkinson wrote:
jayjg wrote:
By the way, I'm not arguing for the use of "fair use" images on User pages. However, I *am* arguing against the use of bad arguments to remove them (and, in general, against the use of bad arguments to defend *any* action). "Server space" simply won't fly, as it appears to be an almost limitless resource in other contexts, and "it hinders distribution of a free encyclopedia" won't fly, as User pages are not part of the encyclopedia content we are trying to distribute. The more relevant arguments seem to center on legal liability issues, though in reality the potential for any real litigation based on their use appears to be nil, if for no other reason than if someone actually did threaten to sue Wikipedia based on a fair use image maintained on a user page (which is extemely unlikely), it would promptly be deleted, ending any action.
The fact that we could just remove any fair use image if legal action was ever threatened or initiated seems to be a particularly bad argument for *keeping* them.
We still need to have a reasonable fair use argument. Before we give ourselves the benefit of the doubt there needs to be some doubt. On a user page we would probably be quicker to comply with a take down order because that image was less important to us, or its purpose was already spent. The day may still come where we have to say no; retaining the right to say no when circumstances warrant is a tremendous strategic advantage even if we never exercise that right. We just need to avoid acting with extreme stupidity.
Ec