Wikipedia:Identifying copyrights in links

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 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.

Can you be confident 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 can it be established to be hosted with permission of the copyright holder?

   * 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