[Foundation-l] File format policy

[Erik Moeller]

I've been asked to bring this up here as a result of the discussion on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Featured_picture_candidates/Image:Storm.ogg

where a video was nominated for featured status, but several people 
objected because they could not play Ogg Theora. We currently do not 
allow other video formats.

I would suggest implementing the following policy on all Wikimedia wikis:

"It is allowed to upload files in patent-encumbered formats like MP3 or 
the MPEG-4 codecs only provided that a version in a non-encumbered 
format is also uploaded. Files which are only provided in 
patent-encumbered formats should be deleted."

Thoughts, comments, objections? Ideally, the conversion could be done 
automatically, but a soft policy might do the trick for now.

Thanks,

Erik