[Gendergap] Consent for photographs on Commons

Tue Sep 13 23:39:12 UTC 2011

I added a new parameter to the template for indicating full consent. If 
you use {{consent|full}} it outputs:
"I personally created this media. All identifiable persons shown 
specifically consented to publication of this photograph or video under 
a free license, granting unrestricted rights to redistribute the media 
for any purpose."

If you use {{consent|basic}} it outputs:
"I personally created this media. All identifiable persons shown 
specifically consented to this photograph or video."

I think it's important that both options are available, since we should 
allow people to indicate different degrees of consent. There's also a 
parameter, 'public', for photographs without consent of people in public 
places (which explains some of the issues involved in that particular case).

Ryan Kaldari

On 9/13/11 3:28 PM, Sarah wrote:
> That looks good, Ryan. Would it make sense to add something about the
> release of the image? For example,
>
> "I personally created this media. All identifiable persons shown
> specifically consented to this photograph or video being taken and
> released under a free licence."
>
> Sarah
>
>
>
> On Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 15:43, Ryan Kaldari<rkaldari at wikimedia.org>  wrote:
>> I have created the new consent template:
>> http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Template:Consent
>>
>> Here is an example of it in use:
>> http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Splitting_logs_with_a_gas_powered_log_splitter.JPG
>>
>> I also added a new section to the
>> Commons:Photographs_of_identifiable_persons guidelines encouraging people to
>> use the new template.
>>
>> The wording of the template and guidelines don't mention anything about
>> nudity or sexualization. This is on purpose. Hopefully, this will be a good
>> first step to increasing the value and visibility of consent on Commons (in
>> a way that builds consensus rather than warring factions).
>>
>> Ryan Kaldari
>>
>> On 9/12/11 5:49 PM, Toby Hudson wrote:
>>
>> Hi Ryan,
>>
>> A draft template was actually made to augment the mostly recently voted
>> [[COM:SEX]] proposal:
>> http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Template:Consent
>>
>> The proposal closed with no consensus*, but with a few modifications, the
>> template could still be put to good use.
>>
>> Toby / 99of9
>>
>>
>> *Mainly because it included a clause allowing admins to delete out of scope
>> sexual content directly in a speedy deletion rather than setting up a
>> deletion request.  There actually wasn't too much opposition to requiring a
>> statement of consent for identifiable sexual images, although there was
>> some.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 8:51 AM, Ryan Kaldari<rkaldari at wikimedia.org>
>> wrote:
>>> I'm both a long-time admin on Commons and an OTRS volunteer. I've been
>>> wanting to chime in on this thread, but haven't really had the time. I'm
>>> worried though that I'm about to see history repeat itself, so I want to
>>> quickly share a few thoughts...
>>>
>>> First, the issue of consent on Commons has been passionately debates for
>>> years, and has a long and tortured history. Before proposing anything,
>>> please make yourself familiar with the previous discussions and their
>>> outcomes. Most notably the discussions surrounding these pages:
>>> http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Sexual_content
>>>
>>> http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Administrators%27_noticeboard/Archives/User_problems_7#Privatemusings
>>>
>>> http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Photographs_of_identifiable_people
>>> http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Nudity
>>>
>>> The point I can't emphasize enough is that if you put forward any
>>> proposal on Commons that implies there is anything possibly problematic
>>> about sexual or nude images in any way, you will be completely shut
>>> down. The only way you have any chance to shape the policies and
>>> guidelines on Commons is if you approach the problem from a
>>> sex/nudity-agnostic point of view. Here's a good example of what NOT to
>>> do:
>>>
>>> I think a general statement that permission of the subject is desirable
>>> / necessary for photos featuring nudity would be a good thing -
>>> thoughts? Privatemusings (talk) 00:49, 8 January 2009 (UTC)
>>>      I think the horse is beyond dead by now. --Carnildo (talk) 22:46, 8
>>> January 2009 (UTC)
>>>
>>> If the horse was beyond dead in January 2009, imagine where it is now.
>>> That said, there is still lots of room for improvement. In particular...
>>>
>>> Commons already requires consent for photos of identifiable people in
>>> private spaces. In addition, many countries require consent even for
>>> public spaces. (Take a look at
>>>
>>> http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Photographs_of_identifiable_persons#Country_specific_consent_requirements.)
>>> The way this requirement works, however, is completely passive and
>>> reactive - there is no impetus to proactively assert consent, only to
>>> assert it when an image is challenged. This is a very inefficient
>>> system. There are no templates or categories or anything to deal with
>>> consent on Commons (apart from Template:Consent which is tied up with
>>> the tortured history of Commons:Sexual_content and can't be used
>>> currently).
>>>
>>> I don't think it would be incredibly controversial to introduce a very
>>> simple consent template that was specifically tailored to the existing
>>> policies and laws. This would make things easier for Commons reusers,
>>> professional photographers who use model releases, and admins who have
>>> to constantly deal with these issues. In short, it would be a win for
>>> everyone and it would introduce the idea of thinking proactively about
>>> consent on Commons in a way that isn't threatening to people who are
>>> concerned about censorship.
>>>
>>> As soon as I have some free time, I'll whip up such a template and throw
>>> it into the water. It'll be interesting to see how it is received.
>>>
>>> Ryan Kaldari
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Gendergap mailing list
>>> Gendergap at lists.wikimedia.org
>>> https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/gendergap
>>
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