Hi Jan-Bart,
I'm saying that this looks bad and asking what happened. I directed my email to the
people who I think are in the best positions to respond or would want to look at this for
themselves.
There is a point at which asking questions becomes trolling or wasting resources but I
think the consensus here is that this situation should be investigated.
Please assume good faith (:
Pine
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Russiavia, thanks for your efforts to make a comprehensive report. It's certainly
worth reading, although I am refraining from personally reaching major conclusions until
after we have heard more details from WMF.
Regarding Timothy Sandole's qualifications for the job, he could have been an
experienced Wikipedian who had solid editing experience in an anonymous account before he
registered the Sandole account for the purpose of Belfair-related editing. I hope this is
the case.
I'm surprised that Belfair would hire him if he knew very little about copyright, but
Belfair may not have had enough experience with Wikipedia to know what questions to ask. I
hope that WMF asks basic questions about copyright if someone will be editing for pay or
training new editors.
It's very problematic to hear from Timothy that anyone at WMF was his "direct
boss". This raises lots of red flags and adds more complex problems. This is also one
of the reasons I hope WMF Legal is aware of this situation because I can think of multiple
types of liability this could create.
I would encourage WMF not to rush the process of investigating what happened here
including what seem to be contradictory statements in WMF documents and from WMF
employees. It would be best to get a comprehensive report even if that takes a week or
two.
I appreciate WMF investigating this and that WMF board members have taken an interest.
Pine
Thanks Erik.
I am going to be discussing this in private with the English Wikipedia Arbitration
Committee before making further comments here.
Pine