MediaWiki:Uploadtext/internet

This form is only for uploading images found on a website. To upload other pieces of work, please use a different form.

Please read this important message first

The vast majority of images on the internet are not appropriate for the Bullpen. Most content on the internet is copyrighted and the creator of the image having exclusive rights to use it, to copy it, and to make works derived from it reserved to the copyright holder. The Bullpen respects the copyrights of others — do not upload images that violate others' copyrights. Under some limited circumstances, it may be possible to use a non-free image under a claim of fair use. A non-free image should only be used if there is no reasonable expectation that a free image does or ever could exist, for example, corporate logos, book covers, and images of historical events.

What kinds of images can we use?

The Bullpen can use images that are licensed under a free license (such as the GFDL) or that are in the public domain. In short, for an image to be considered "free" for our purposes, the copyright holder must EXPLICITLY release it under an acceptable license - merely placing an image on a website or inviting users to download an image does NOT make it acceptable to use here.

If the image is copyrighted, can we ask for permission?

It may still be possible to use this image, but it will be necessary for the copyright holder to release the image into the public domain or release it under a free license, such as the GFDL or an appropriate Creative Commons license, which includes Attribution and Attribution-Share Alike only. Due to the commericial nature of the site, a "free license" means one that permits anyone to reuse the image for any reason, including commercial purposes. Please see BR Bullpen:Requesting copyright permission for a sample letter of permission and instructions.

What about fair use?

In general, non-free content uploaded under the Exemption Doctrine should be used only when the specific image itself is significant to the article, not merely what it depicts. The image must be not replaceable by a free content alternative that depicts the same thing. In other words, a screenshot from a movie is acceptable to use when talking about the movie itself — it is not acceptable to use it to talk about the actress who happens to be in the picture. (It is possible for a free content picture of the actress to be taken.) If you are still in doubt, ask at Can I use... before uploading the image!

Uploading your image

Step 1. Choose an appropriate filename.

Change the destination filename to something descriptive. Don't use default filenames! Good: John Doe in 1997.jpg    Bad: IMG0592.JPG

Step 2. Pick an appropriate entry from the licence selector.

Select the entry in the licence selector that is appropriate to this image.

Step 3. Supply a description and a "fair use" rationale.

Write a clear description for the image you are uploading in the "edit summary" box. Also required is an explanation (called a "fair use rationale") of why the use of this image in those specific articles is allowable without permission from the copyright holder. It is extremely important that your image have: the URL where you downloaded the image, the name of the author or copyright holder, and an explanation -- called a "fair use rationale" -- for why you believe that this image should be considered fair use.