Policy:Ownership of content
 | The following is a proposed BattleTechWiki policy, guideline, or process. The proposal may still be in development, under discussion, or in the process of gathering consensus for adoption. |
 | This page in a nutshell: BattleTechWiki content is collaboratively edited, and no one "owns" any part of it. All editors must respect contributions from others, work towards consensus, and resolve disputes civilly. |
Contents
Overview[edit]
All articles and pages on BattleTechWiki are collaboratively created and edited by the community. As such, no single individual or group owns any content. This policy ensures a neutral, inclusive, and dynamic online wiki project. As each edit page clearly states:
| “ | Please note that all contributions to BattleTechWiki are considered to be released under the GNU FDL 1.2 (see BattleTechWiki:Copyrights for details). If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly and redistributed at will, then do not submit it here. | ” |
This means by contributing to BattleTechWiki, you acknowledge:
- Other editors may freely edit, modify, or expand your contributions.
- You cannot prevent others from editing or undoing your changes unless it violates policy or consensus.
- Content disputes should be addressed through dispute resolution mechanisms.
Key Principles[edit]
- No Ownership of Content: No editor has exclusive rights to any content, regardless of their level of contribution.
- Respect for Collaboration: Engage respectfully with others, especially when challenging their edits or suggesting changes.
- Neutrality and Verifiability: Ensure all contributions adhere to the principles of neutrality and verifiability.
Stewardship vs. Ownership[edit]
Editors with a strong interest, expertise, or involvement in a topic may take on a role of stewardship for an article or group of related articles. Stewardship involves maintaining the quality, accuracy, and neutrality of content while collaborating constructively with others. However, stewardship must not cross into ownership.
Senior Editors, are the BattleTechWiki's recognized role for "stewards" for certain wiki "subjects", and can be the primary contact for any questions about a certain subject's content. This role carries with it the expectation of Stewardship in all aspects.
Characteristics of Stewardship[edit]
Stewardship is a positive and constructive role that benefits the wiki, as long as the editor remains open to feedback and adheres to community standards. A steward:
- Provides expertise and guidance to improve content.
- Actively engages with other editors to achieve consensus.
- Refers to policies and guidelines when making changes.
- Welcomes contributions from all editors and fosters collaboration.
Transitioning Stewardship into Collaboration[edit]
For editors acting as stewards:
- Engage Others: Use the article’s talk page to explain your reasoning and invite feedback.
- Cite Policies: Reference neutrality, verifiability, and other relevant guidelines to support your stance.
- Avoid Dominance: Ensure that all contributors feel their input is valued and considered.
Characteristics of Ownership[edit]
Ownership behavior may emerge when an editor:
- Consistently rejects others’ contributions without valid reasons.
- Acts as a gatekeeper, requiring approval for changes to an article.
- Engages in edit wars to enforce their version of content.
- Uses their role as a steward to marginalize or discredit other contributors.
Transitioning Ownership into Collaboration[edit]
If behavior starts to resemble ownership, other editors should:
- Address the issue on the article’s talk page.
- Encourage collaborative discussions rather than confrontations.
- Use dispute resolution if necessary.
Stewardship and Complex Articles[edit]
In cases where an article involves highly specialized or complex content, stewardship can be particularly valuable. Senior Editors, as BattleTechWiki's form of recognized "stewards" can help locate reliable sources, structure content effectively, and ensure compliance with community standards. However, expertise does not override the collaborative nature of BattleTechWiki. Stewards must remain open to others’ perspectives and avoid the temptation to act as the sole authority. Stewardship is a responsibility, not a privilege. It is rooted in collaboration and respect for the community's collective effort.
User Pages and Talk Pages[edit]
Although users have broad discretion over their own user pages, these are part of the wiki and subject to the same collaborative principles, policies, and guidelines.