[WikiEN-l] Fair use issues; we need serious help

[WikipediaEditor Durin]

On 7/12/07, Erik Moeller <erik at wikimedia.org> wrote:
> On 7/12/07, WikipediaEditor Durin <wikidurin at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I guarantee you that no consensus will evolve.
>
> Probably not. But a lack of consensus should not paralyze a project.
> If a supermajority favors particular policies, that may be an
> acceptable outcome.
>
> Really, if these issues cannot be resolved, that is more symptomatic
> for the lack of maturity of decision making processes in the English
> Wikipedia than it is for a need for a more specific policy.

Removing other people's work, or in the least tagging it for deletion
has created droves of people who are quite opposed to the principles
on which we are founded. They are not interested in free content.
They are focused on adding fair use content, and trying to make it
stick...usually by making strenuous arguments that it is legal under
fair use law.

Is the option of opening a consensus targetting forum for these
issues open and not yet tried? Yes. But, maybe pessimistic,
I doubt it will achieve the effect we want; using fair use minimally.
I frankly a bit scared of the possibility that consensus may evolve
to liberally allow fair use.

A number of us have stated before that consensus to liberally
allow fair use can not and will not trump Foundation resolutions.
We just need more clarification.

-Durin