Policy Talk:Copyrights

Important

We really need a policy on copyrights. Do we want to go the full hog, like wikipedia and require editors to make a fair use claim for usage of copyrighted images? Do we want to bar all copyrighted material? (Unlikely to work, for obvious reasons.) Etc. --Xoid 16:48, 29 November 2006 (CST)

I agree, this should be one of our top priorities. Are there any templates for policies we look over and choose? Nicjansma 21:26, 29 November 2006 (CST)

Templates? As in, something we could base our policy on or as in Wiki Templates? Either way, the answer is 'yes', but I'd prefer not to drudge up a bunch of links for both; finding a variety of sources just for one is enough work. --Xoid 21:51, 29 November 2006 (CST)

One of the reasons I didn't try and tackle that issue just yet is because we're in a more unique situation than my experience at Wikipedia provides for, since canon material is required for articles to be written. Either the policy will be simple ("re-write everything before posting it here") or an allowance is made for material to be re-posted here (MechGround is the only site I know of to have that, and I personally don't want to see advertisements and disclaimers to be displayed on each page). But...I would like to be able to provide TROs here, which seems critical (to me) to having a wiki as a storehouse of usable knowledge. CJKeys has done an excellent job of re-creating the fluff here through original writing, but based upon canon fluff. (I really want to have all the gaming data here...we already include some of it, but have it diffused by displaying it in a new format, via the infoboxes.)--Revanche (admin) 01:19, 30 November 2006 (CST)

Raising Its Head Again

Ebakunin is the fourth member to discuss the need for this to be completed. To be honest, I just don't feel smart enough on the subject to start it. I'd be glad to weigh in, but I really don't want to start anything that could either restrict us in what we are allowed to do, nor do i want the site to get in trouble. To be honest, unless someone does feel smart enough to tackle this, I suggest bouncing it back at Nic...sorry, Nic. --Revanche ^{(talk|contribs)} 22:25, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

I copied and modified the copyrights page from the Star Wars Wiki (located here). It's a start. --Ebakunin ^{(talk|contribs)} 22:45, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

You might want to check out BattleTechWiki:Copyright. --Scaletail 23:09, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

Thanks, Scaletail, I didn't even know about that. I suggest moving "Copyright" to "Copyrights", as the site's underlying code automatically links to this page (i.e. we can't futz with it). --Ebakunin ^{(talk|contribs)} 23:21, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

Of course. It used to go there. --Scaletail 23:44, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

Well, now you both made me feel stupid. :P I thought Ebakunin's first take was rather awesome, and the fact that I had modified Scaletail's section not even 48 hours ago....well, I'm off to find a gas oven. Seriously, however you guys want to go, I'm fine with either (though I'm leaning to the specific nature of the singular form, with adaptions brought in from Ebakunin's take). --Revanche ^{(talk|contribs)} 00:13, 14 July 2009 (UTC)

Using the original art of BattleTech covers

What is Sarna's stance on using the original images that become book covers? For example, Tan Ho Sim's cover of Divided We Fall is based on this image. I'd like to upload the original image for the Dominator entry instead of using the novel cover. Is this allowed? Thanks. --Ebakunin ^{(talk|contribs)} 16:14, 5 December 2020 (EST)

I am of the opinion that we should not be putting book covers in 'Mech articles, so I would be more than happy for you to upload the original. As long as it is properly credited it should be fine from a copyright stand point under fair use, If Deviant art has a message function or there are other contact details you could drop Tan a message and ask for his permission. --Dmon (talk) 16:30, 5 December 2020 (EST)

I find that I am of the opposite opinion from our esteemed Dmon.

"Fair use" would not apply as far as I understand it, because it only allows you to violate copyright for scientific or similar purposes, in a "fair" fashion, i.e. as limited as possible. "It looks nicer in the article" does not suffice, even less so when there's an actual book cover that we're already using.

Which leads into my second argument, that in the absence of a proper image I'd prefer to use the book cover for two reasons: It's the image that is more directly tied to the BattleTech IP than some third party artwork, because it was officially published as BattleTech; and it ties back to the book which I feel is in and of itself preferable.

Just my 2c (IIC?) of course. ;) Frabby (talk) 02:14, 6 December 2020 (EST)