User:ESkog/I4
Wikipedia, like any other person or organization in the world, is bound by international copyright laws. When we cannot be certain that an image is free content, it may be deleted. This deletion can be a so-called "speedy deletion" if one of a few criteria apply:
No copyright tag
[edit]When you upload an image, you are given the option to specify why you believe it is usable in Wikipedia by choosing the appropriate tag. If that tag is missing, we cannot assume it is free for use.
No source information
[edit]If an image's source is not specified, we have no way to verify that the copyright holder has released the image for free use.
Unknown copyright status
[edit]If an image is uploaded and the uploader selects that they are "not sure" what the copyright status is, it automatically gets a speedy deletion tag too. If the problem is not resolved in a reasonable timeframe, the image will be deleted.
No fair-use rationale
[edit]If an image is uploaded as "fair use" but does not have any rationale for the use, it can be deleted under criterion I6. A claim of fair use must be explained, and cannot simply be a templated rationale for each instance of a particular type of image (a screenshot, for example).
Other speedy deletions
[edit]Although I am not usually part of these, images can also be deleted when they claim fair use but can be replaced with a free image, or they claim fair use but are not actually used on Wikipedia.