--- luke brandt <shojokid(a)gmail.com> wrote:
err... to say that "Wikipedia is the Free
encyclopedia" begs the
question "What do we mean by 'free'?" The GFDL is not the most
'free'
license, many say. And many also say it isn't the most suitable license
for a wiki either. Isn't it also true that NC is primarily about
rejecting commercial exploitation, a point particularly relevant, one
would have thought, where people are giving their time and expertise
(such as it is) pro bono publico? - Thanks, luke
Free means free to do just about anything you want with the material so long as proper
credit is
given and those modifications are given the same freedoms. Even though images can be
considered
separate works on the web, having non-free/NC ones in an article would prevent that
article's use
in a commercial product.
And the freedom granted in the GFDL *specifically* mentions the freedom to use GFDLd
material
commercially. So the use of NC images goes against the spirit if not the letter of the
FDL. Also,
there is also at least some doubt as to whether images can, in a legal sense (again,
IANAL), in
fact be considered separate works in all circumstances from text.
So even though our non-profit status may allow us to use NC image, others who use our
content for
commercial purposes would need to constantly remove non-free images. And *that* makes it
needlessly difficult for others to use and enjoy our work.
That is why the foundation has a strict policy against using any image or other media that
has
non-free aspects.
I'm sorry, but this policy is set in stone and will not change; there is a constant
open season on
NC and other non-free images. No one wiki community can decide otherwise and any wheel war
that
results will invariably favor the admins who are following this policy and sanction those
that are
actively using their admin powers to fight against it.
-- mav
____________________________________________________________________________________
Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels
in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit.
http://farechase.yahoo.com/promo-generic-14795097