Template:Instructions how to help with medias without license

Processing

All images in this category should be processed. Help is highly welcome!

Taking or identifying even one replacement for a problematic image in use is a huge help already! here are listed some especially stubborn images where taking new image may be needed (but maybe Wikimedia Commons has replacements already?)

You can also help by notifying uploaders and asking them to fix licensing status.

Try to identify license

For files in this category license must be identified.

Files that are a copyright violation must be deleted.

Files are added to this category using {{Unknown}} or {{No licence}} template.

Files where image is a trivial shape or text should be tagged with {{PD-shape}} to mark as ineligible for copyright at all.

Images where you own copyright can be relicensed by you, for example to {{CC0-self}}.

Use proper license template if one of licenses applies. Wiki:Media file license chart may be useful.

Handling images where license recovery failed

For images where uploader was not notified (listed in Category:Media without a license - uploader not notified ) - see #Writing to an uploader

But sometimes images are used, uploader is not responding or it is clear that image is problematic. Ideal solution is to locate replacement image on known license on https://commons.wikimedia.org/

You can also take own image and upload it to Wikimedia Commons.

It allows to replace used and useful image with copyright issues – and later delete it – without serious negative effect.

Once replaced, please put {{Delete|Unused file (usage was replaced by image with a clear copyrights status) without known source or license, please provide info about either if you know it}}

Note that images that are copyright violations should be deleted, searching for replacements is not mandatory. But it is a good idea to try replacing any in use image before deleting it.

Writing to an uploader

If a file page contains no info, image is in use and you failed to establish its license – write to whoever uploaded it.

Possible sample text, it is well fitting for photographs - and not well fitting in case of maps and screenshots (feel free to use own one, you can also link it here if you have a good template or improve this one):

Hello! And thanks for your upload – but some extra info is necessary.

Sorry for bothering you about this, but it is important to know source of the uploaded files.

Are you the author of images LINK LINK ?

Or is it copied from some other place (which one?)?

Please, add this info to the file page - something like "I took this photo" or "downloaded from -website link-".

In case that you are the author of the image: Would you agree to open licensing of this image, allowing its use by anyone (similarly to your OSM edits)?

Would you be OK with CC0 (it allows use without attribution or any other requirement)?

Or do you prefer to require attribution and some other things using CC-BY-SA-4.0? 

If you are the author: Please add <nowiki>{{CC0-self}}</nowiki> to the file page to publish the image under CC0 license.

You can also use <nowiki>{{CC-BY-SA-4.0-self}}</nowiki> to publish under CC-BY-SA-4.0 license. 

Note that in cases where photo is a screenshot of some software interface: usually it is needed to handle also copyright of software itself.

Note that in cases where aerial imagery is present: also licensing of an aerial imagery matter.

Feel free to ask for help if you need it - you can do it for example by asking on [[Talk:Wiki]]: [https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Wiki&action=edit&section=new new topic].

Please ask there if you are not sure what is the proper next step. Especially when you are uploading files that are not your own work or are derivative work (screenshots, composition of images, using aerial imagery etc).

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After notifying uploader you can edit {{Unknown}} / {{No licence}} at file page so it will become {{No licence|subcategory=uploader notified 2024, November}} - to put media file into specified category, in this case into Category:Media without a license - uploader notified 2024, November and mark image as one where uploader was notified.

Unlisted

File that is without license and not marked as having no license will not appear here!

Some of them are without any categories and listed here

• Adding matching license template or {{No licence}} to them would be a good idea.
  • If their status is unknown – add {{No licence}} with clear edit comment encouraging to provide data. Maybe something like "

    {{No licence}} – source and copyright status is unknown. Please add this info. Note that copyright violations and file with unknown status should be deleted

    "

Unused files of low value: place {{Delete|Not needed unused file without known source or license, please provide info about either if you know it}} to request a deletion (or {{Delete proposal}} if less sure).

Template documentation