Wikipedia:Identifying copyrights in links

This is an essay.

It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints.

Under Wikipedia copyright policy, knowingly and intentionally directing others to a site that violates copyright is barred. This is a step by step assessment you can make to decide if an external link is acceptable under this policy.

Is the content linked to relevant to the article?

   * No: Delete
   * Yes: continue to next question.

Is the content obviously public domain?

   * No: continue to next question.
   * Yes: Keep

Is the content obviously hosted by its copyright holder?

   * No: continue to next question.
   * Yes: Keep

Is the content obviously copyright by a content creator who would not have republished on the site in question?

For example, newspaper articles republished on a a blog. TV Show episodes unofficially uploaded to a video hosting site.

   * No: continue to next question.
   * Yes: Delete

Is there a version of equal or better quality available at a copyright-holder's official website?

   * No: continue to next question.
   * Yes: Replace link alternative.

Do you have rational belief it is hosted with permission of the copyright holder?

Does it have a clear statement that the content is hosted with permission of the copyright holder or could it be rationally assumed to be hosted with permission of the copyright holder? For example, it is published with a user account known to be the copyright holders, or published on their own website.

   * No: continue to next question.
   * Yes: Keep

Is there other rational reason (besides those checked above) to believe that the content is infringing?

   * No: Keep
   * Yes: Delete