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Wikipedia:Copyright problems

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    This page is for listing and discussing possible copyright problems involving text on Wikipedia. Listings typically remain for at least five days before review and closure by a copyright problems clerk or administrator. During this time, interested contributors are invited to offer feedback, rewrite infringing content, or request copyright permission.

    Listed pages appear in the bottom section of the page. For additional guidance, see below.

    To add a new listing, go to today's section.

    Copyright owners: If you're concerned that something you've found on Wikipedia is in breach of copyright, you may request immediate removal by following these instructions.

    How to list an article

    Copyright problems handles articles where the copyright status is disputed or complex cases of infringement. You should list an article if one of the following applies:

    • All revisions of an article have copyright violations (copyvio), and speedy deletion does not apply.
    • The removal of copyrighted content has been contested.
    • Removal or reversion is complicated or involves a majority of the article.
    • You cannot determine whether the text originated from the source or Wikipedia. Do not blank the article in this case.
    • The article is eligible for presumptive deletion.
    • Other complex situations not listed here or in the section below.

    If the article needs to be listed,

    1. Place one of the following above the infringing text:
    2. Place {{subst:Copyvio/bottom}} below the last infringing text.
    3. Go to today's section and add the following template to the bottom of the list:

      {{subst:article-cv|PageName}} from [insert URL or identify non-web source here] ~~~~

      Put the page's name in place of "PageName". If you do not have a URL, enter a description of the source. A pre-filled version can be copied from the top of the copyvio template after substituting it. If yours is the first listing of the day, please add a header to the top of the page, using the page for another date as an example.
    4. Warn the contributor of the listing at their talk page, unless advised not to. The template on the now blanked page supplies a notice you may use for that purpose.

    What not to list here

    • Blatant infringement. Articles that are entirely copyvio can be handled through speedy deletion if it meets the criteria. You should not blank or list the article here if you tag for G12.
    • Non-extensive obvious copyvio. If the copied content is not extensive, you can remove, rewrite, or revert the page to before the text was added. You should place {{Copyvio-revdel|url=copied source|start=diff of copyvio insertion|end=diff before copyvio removal}} on the article afterwards and warn the contributor of the material to the problem, unless advised not to. The template {{Uw-copyright}} may be used for this purpose.
    • Requests for revision deletion. These should be handled by placing {{Copyvio-revdel|url=copied source|start=diff of copyvio insertion|end=diff before copyvio removal}} on the article.
    • Files. For files that are clear copyright violations, follow the procedure for speedy deletion; otherwise list at Files for Discussion. If the file is on the Commons, they can be handled through Commons speedy deletion or Deletion requests.
    • Individual editors. Contributors who repeatedly post copyrighted text or files after appropriate warnings will be blocked from editing to protect the project; see 17 United States Code § 512. If one contributor verifiably inserts multiple copyright violations and systematic review is needed, please file a request at Wikipedia:Contributor copyright investigations.
    • Copyright violations without a source. If you cannot find a source of where something could be copied from, do not list the article here. The content may be removed for other reasons, like being unreferenced or violating our biographies of living persons policy.

    What text can be reused?

    Further information: Wikipedia:Copy-paste

    Under the United States law that governs Wikipedia, copyright is automatically assumed as soon as any content (text or other media) is created in a physical form. An author does not need to apply for or claim copyright, for a copyright to exist. One of the following must be present to reuse the content on Wikipedia:

    If none of the above are present, the text cannot be reused.

    Even when the text can be reused, it must be attributed or it will be considered as plagiarism.

    Responding to listed articles

    Copyright owners and people editing on their behalf or with their permission, please see below.

    Any contributor is welcome to help investigate articles listed for copyright concerns and remove {{copy-paste}} or {{close paraphrasing}} tags when the problem is addressed or disproven. Only administrators, copyright clerks, and VRT agents should remove {{copyvio}} tags and resolve listings.

    Copyright problems is run by volunteers and it usually takes a few days before listings are first investigated.

    You can assist in the following ways:

    • Providing information on the copyright status of the article
    • Obtaining or verifying claims of permission
    • Rewriting or removing infringing content without removing {{copyvio}}.

    Not every article listed here is a copyright violation. The content may be on Wikipedia first, public domain, compatibly licensed, or below the threshold of originality. Editors can provide information about licensing or public domain status under listings here or on the talk page of the article. A link or a clear explanation is very helpful when a clerk or administrator evaluates the article.

    Obtaining/verifying permission

    Sometimes material was placed on Wikipedia with the permission of the copyright owner. The owner may be willing to give permission and proper license. Any contributor can write to the owner of copyright and check whether they gave or will give permission. See Wikipedia:Example requests for permission. If a compatible license is placed online at the point of original publication, please provide a link to that under the listing.

    More details about the permissions process can be seen below and at Wikipedia:Donating copyrighted materials.

    Rewriting or removing content

    If an article verifiably has copyvio, the content must be removed or rewritten entirely. If the article is blanked, the rewrite takes place at Talk:PAGENAME/Temp so that the new material can be copied over the old. The listing will link to the specific temporary page. You can directly rewrite on articles tagged for {{close paraphrasing}} or {{copy-paste}}, and remove the tags when the rewrite is complete.

    The article should not be copied over without first removing copyvio. Other content from the article can be used, if there is no reason to believe that it may be a copyright issue as well. If the content is copied from an inaccessible source like a book or cannot be verified, please remove all text added by the contributor. If you copy any text from the old article, please leave a note on the listing or in your edit summaries of the rewrite. Reviewing clerks or administrators will then preserve the history of the old article.

    Please review Wikipedia:Copy-paste and its linked guidelines as necessary to ensure the rewrite is compliant with policy. Repairing plagiarism from permissible sources is usually as simple as supplying proper attribution.

    Shortcut

    If you submitted work to Wikipedia which you had previously published and your submission was marked as a potential infringement of copyright, you must do one of the following to resolve the problem:

    See also Wikipedia:Donating copyrighted materials.

    Emails are handled by volunteers and take time to log permission. Do not worry if the content is deleted; it will be restored if usable permission is logged. Your email will receive a response whether the permission is usable or not. If you have not received a response to your letter within two weeks, it is a good idea to follow up.

    Please keep in mind that content previously published elsewhere may not meet Wikipedia's specific guidelines and policies. If you are not familiar with these policies and guidelines, please review especially our core policies. This will prepare you to deal with any other issues with the text that may arise.

    Should you choose to rewrite the content rather than release it under the requisite license, please see above.

    Clerks and patrolling administrators

    For a more complete description of clerks and their duties, as well as a list of active clerks, please see Wikipedia:Copyright problems/Clerks.

    Copyright clerks are experienced editors on Wikipedia, especially with copyright policies and their enforcement. On this board, they are trusted to evaluate and close listings and request administrative actions when necessary.

    For a more complete description of administrators on Wikipedia, please see Wikipedia:Administrators.

    Any administrator may work the copyright problems board. This may involve evaluating listings personally or completing requests by clerks. Clerks are trusted in their work and their requests may be implemented without double-checking, although any administrator is welcome to review requests and discuss with the clerks in question.

    Closing listings

    Listings can be processed at any time by anyone, but are not formally closed until a clerk or administrator verifies that all problems are resolved. Pages listed for presumptive deletion stay open for a minimum of 7 days before being processed.

    For advice for resolving listings, see Wikipedia:Copyright problems/Instructions (VRT agents, see section there).

    {{CPC}} may be used to denote resolutions of listings by administrators, clerks and VRT agents.

    Update this page

    Older than 7 days

    Below are articles that have been listed here for longer than 7 days. They will be processed at any time by clerks or administrators (see WP:CPAA). When every issue on a day is clear, the day may be removed.

    3 May 2025

    29 October 2025

    New listings

    Update this page
    Some listings may not be displayed on this page due to template transclusion limits. This can be alleviated by clearing the backlog.

    New listings are made on daily reports transcluded on this page and are not directly added to it. To add a new listing, please go to today's section. Instructions for adding new listings can be found at What to list here. Editors may resolve issues with listings at any time, save for presumptive deletion. See the section on responding for more information.

    3 November 2025


    6 November 2025

    Nose cone design (history · last edit · rewrite) from https://nakka-rocketry.net/articles/Descriptive_Geometry_Nosecones_Crowell_1996.pdf (or source 2 in the article currently). FinchSpace (talk) 10:42, 6 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

    7 November 2025

    • English Tangier (history · last edit · rewrite) [12] - as shown, this was copied from Faedra's quasi-published geneology project[13] that, somehow, Icairns got a hold of. Faedra removed a lot of the material at the time, [14] but I don't think we can take that as consent to release the rest of the excerpt, especially given the circumstances in which they quit. They also seemingly claimed full copyright on a pre-existing version released on the internet, though that's been lost to time. [15] - so we're at WP:DCM. Sending through copyright problems because of the complicated licensing status and age. Remaining text shouldn't be that bad to trim out, it's all Earwig-readable.[16] GreenLipstickLesbian💌🦋 10:01, 7 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]
      That looks like it was quite a struggle to find, so well done. I'm not quite sure I follow the process though.
      If I follow you correctly, Faedra had a draft of a history of English Tangier. Icairn somehow got hold of it, and used it as a basis to create the relevant Wikipedia page. Faedra then claimed full copyright of their original work, so the text should be rewritten to ensure only other sources are used.
      Assuming that my understanding is correct, is there actually any evidence that Faedra's text even mentioned Tangier? I cannot find one mention of it in any of the pages on website for Kings Carpenters And Heretics which I believe is attributed to Faedra's. Admittedly only part of the source seems to be accessible online, but there is no indication the Tangier is covered. Also, if there is a pre-existing version, where would it be other than on the same page with the other information from the book?
      If the text is Faedra's and they were annoyed at a breach of copyright, surely they would have removed it if it concerned them? Instead, even though they were quickly aware of the page, Faedra's first edit on the page is simply to remove the source attributing it to them, with no further edit for 10 days. Their subsequent edits only improve the page, which would be odd if it was copyrighted material that they did not want used. You described these edits as removing 'a lot of the material', but to me the changes are just improving the style of the piece to make it more suitable for an encyclopaedia.
      I'm happy to be proved wrong on this though, you've clearly put plenty of time in to working this out. Stuart Newmanite (talk) 13:20, 7 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]
      It would be odd - but then again, people behave oddly; I can't assume somebody has consented to a legal action because they didn't behave how I'd expect them to. (Also, being super pedantic, I can't even assume that the Wikipedia editor Faedra is the same S Holbourn - on the internet, nobody knows you're a dog, after all). And yes, the fact that the website is only partially online is a bit problematic; technically, I suppose, when Icairns said the text was an excerpt of the work, he could have been lying? I'd rather assume that's not the case, though. GreenLipstickLesbian💌🦋 05:39, 8 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]
      I don't recognise the name Faedra, nor any copying of his writings. My involvement with English Tangier and Tangier Garrison is that my wife has genealogical connectionss to Roger Elliott (governor) and Alexander Spotswood. I had researched the history of the Garrison, but I only remember adding public sourced material or minor Wikiedits to the above articles. I didn't get hold of any unpublished work, nor use any, and am unsure where it appears that I have. I'm happy for any article to be corrected, as you see fit. Rgrds, Icairns 2 (talk) 15:36, 7 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]
      PS: I have never claimed copyright on any Wiki contribution - this doesn't sound like me at all. Icairns 2 (talk) 15:40, 7 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]
      Well, this was over 20 years ago now, I'm not exactly expecting you to have a perfect memory of every editor you interacted with back then - but I can clearly see in the first diff that it's presented as a quote, it's not like you were claiming it was your own work! GreenLipstickLesbian💌🦋 05:32, 8 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]
      What's the course of action now then? If the page was originally created based on publicly available sources, surely that overrides a single erroneous reference from two decades ago? Stuart Newmanite (talk) 11:34, 10 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

    8 November 2025

    Wikipedia:Copyright problems/2025 November 10

    Wikipedia's current date is 10 November 2025. Put new article listings in Wikipedia:Copyright problems/2025 November 10. Files should be handled by speedy deletion or Wikipedia:Files for discussion.

    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Copyright_problems&oldid=1321341117"