[WikiEN-l] Re: Non-free images, there has to be a better way

Fri Jul 8 03:58:44 UTC 2005

Haukur Þorgeirsson wrote:

>I would be fine with such a policy. And I argue that
>if we can tolerate a few fair-use images where they
>are the only ones available we can also tolerate a
>few used-with-permission images where those are the
>only ones we can obtain.
>
If they truly are the only ones we can obtain, then they're almost 
certainly fair use for us anyway. The permission should be noted, but 
isn't critical. But there's a huge difference between an image being the 
only one of its kind we can get under any circumstances, and being the 
only image some editor is able to get a hold of.

In the past, even with Wikipedia-only permissions discouraged, far too 
many users have thought it sufficient just to ask for permission without 
asking for permission under a free license. Allowing this would 
encourage people to be even more lazy about getting free images.

--Michael Snow