View source for Commons:Licensing

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{{shortcut|COM:L|COM:LICENSE}}
{{for2|1=<translate><!--T:1--> the country-by-country licensing rules</translate>|2={{pg|Commons:Copyright rules by territory}}|lang={{PAGELANGUAGE}}}}
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{{#ifeq:{{PAGELANGUAGE}}|en|{{policy}}|{{Translated policy|lang={{PAGELANGUAGE}}}}}}
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This page gives non-lawyers an overview of complicated copyright laws through an example-based tutorial. It aims to help uploaders decide whether an image or other media file is acceptable on Wikimedia Commons. If you are a re-user looking for information on how to use Commons content in your own work, see {{pg|<tvar name="reusing">Commons:Reusing content outside Wikimedia</tvar>|Commons:Reusing content outside Wikimedia}}.

<!--T:3-->
'''Wikimedia Commons only accepts {{free content|free content}}''', that is, images and other media files that are not subject to copyright restrictions which would prevent them being used ''by anyone, anytime, for any purpose''. The use may however be restricted by issues not related to copyright, though, see {{pg|<tvar name="restrictions">Commons:Non-copyright restrictions</tvar>|Commons:Non-copyright restrictions}}, and the license may demand some special measures. There is also certain material, the copyrights of which have [[<tvar name="us-nonus-interaction">Commons:Licensing#Interaction_of_US_and_non-US_copyright_law</tvar>|expired in one country while still applying in another]]. Some of the details are explained below. Wikimedia Commons tries to ensure that any such restrictions are mentioned on the image description page; however, it is the responsibility of reusers to ensure that the use of the media is according to the license and violates no applicable law.

<!--T:4-->
Wikimedia Commons only accepts media
*that are explicitly [[freedomdefined:Definition|freely licensed]], or
*that are in the {{wp-public domain|public domain}} in at least the United States ''and'' in the source country of the work.

<!--T:5-->
Wikimedia Commons does ''not'' accept {{wp-fair use}} justifications: see {{pg|<tvar name="com-fu">Commons:Fair use</tvar>|Commons:Fair use}}. Media licensed exclusively under ''non-commercial only'' licenses (like CC BY-NC-SA) are not accepted either.

<!--T:6-->
The license that applies to an image or media file must be indicated clearly on the file description page using a {{pg|<tvar name="tags">Commons:Copyright tags</tvar>|copyright tag}}. All information required by that license must be provided on the description page. The information given on the description page should be sufficient to allow others to verify the license status. It would be best to do this immediately in the summary field on the upload form.

<!--T:7-->
If you are a copyright holder and would like to confirm permission, please use the {{pg|<tvar name="email-templates">Commons:Email templates</tvar>|email template}} to send it via {{pg|<tvar name="VRT">Commons:VRT</tvar>|VRT}}.
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[[{{Localized media|Licensing tutorial|svg}}|thumb|500px|<translate><!--T:8--> A quick but not entirely accurate introduction</translate>]]
__TOC__
{{anchor|acceptable licenses}}{{anchor|OKLIC}}
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== Acceptable licenses == <!--T:9-->

<!--T:10-->
A copyright license is a formal permission stating who may use a copyrighted work and how they may use it. A license can ''only'' be granted by the copyright holder, which is usually the author (photographer, painter or similar).
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[[{{localized media|BD-propagande-2|jpg}}|300px|thumb|<translate><!--T:11--> This cartoon explains why Commons does not accept "noncommercial" licenses. Click to view the full-size image.</translate>]]

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All copyrighted material on Commons (not in the [[<tvar name="anchor-pd">#Material in the public domain</tvar>|public domain]]) must be licensed under a ''[<tvar name="url">https://freedomdefined.org/Definition</tvar> free license]'' that specifically and irrevocably allows anyone to use the material for any purpose; simply writing that "''the material may be used freely by anyone''" or similar isn't sufficient. In particular, the license '''must''' meet the following conditions:

<!--T:13-->
* Republication and distribution ''must'' be allowed.
* Publication of derivative work ''must'' be allowed.
* Commercial use of the work ''must'' be allowed.
* The license ''must'' be perpetual (non-expiring) and non-revocable.</translate>
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<!--T:14-->
* Acknowledgment of all authors/contributors of a work ''may'' be required.
* Publication of derivative work under the same license ''may'' be required.
* For digital distribution, use of open file formats free of digital restrictions management ({{Digital rights management|DRM}}) ''may'' be required.

<!--T:83-->
Sometimes, authors wish to release a lower quality or lower resolution version of an image or video under a ''free'' license, while applying stricter terms to higher quality versions. It is [[<tvar name="vp-topic">Commons:Village pump/Copyright/Archive/2014/06#Could someone please post a summary of this?</tvar>|unclear]] whether such a distinction is legally enforceable, but Commons's policy is to respect the copyright holder's intentions by hosting only the lower quality version.

<!--T:15-->
The following restrictions '''''must not''''' apply to the image or other media file:
* Use by Wikimedia only.
* Non-commercial, educational, personal, or editorial use only.
* Use under fair use only.
* Notification of the creator ''required'', rather than requested, for all or for some uses.

<!--T:16-->
For example, the following are generally '''not''' allowed:
* Screenshots of software that is itself not under a free license. However, screenshots of software under the GPL or a similar free software license are generally considered to be OK. See {{pg|<tvar name="screenshots1">Commons:Screenshots</tvar>|Commons:Screenshots}}.
* TV/DVD/video game screenshots. See {{pg|<tvar name="screenshots2">Commons:Screenshots</tvar>|Commons:Screenshots}}.
* Scans or reproductive photographs of copyrighted artwork, especially book covers, album/CD covers, etc. See {{pg|<tvar name="derivative1">Commons:Derivative works</tvar>|Commons:Derivative works}}.
* Copyrighted symbols, logos, etc. (Not to be confused with {{pg|<tvar name="trademarks">Commons:Non-copyright_restrictions</tvar>|anchor=trademark-law|trademarks}}.)
* Models, masks, toys, and other objects which represent a copyrighted work, such as a cartoon or movie character (rather than just a particular actor, regardless of a specific role). See {{pg|<tvar name="derivative2">Commons:Derivative works</tvar>|Commons:Derivative works}}.

<!--T:17-->
Commons also allows works that are not protected by copyright (i.e. works in the public domain). Please read [[<tvar name="anchor-pd">#Material in the public domain</tvar>|the section about public domain]] below.

<!--T:18-->
For an explanation of the justification for this licensing policy, see {{pg|Commons:Licensing/Justifications|Commons:Licensing/Justifications}}.

=== Multi-licensing === <!--T:19-->
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[[{{Localized media|BD-propagande colour|jpg}}|thumb|350px|<translate><!--T:20--> This cartoon demonstrates the utility of including a Creative Commons license. Click to view the full-size image.</translate>]]

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You can offer as many licenses for a file as you want as long as '''at least one of them''' meets the criteria for free licenses above. For example, files may be licensed with both Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (meets the criteria) and Attribution-NonCommercial (does not meet the criteria). In this example, re-users would be given the option to create derivatives using a compatible license (ShareAlike) or use a different licensing model and be restricted to NonCommercial use. A re-user who opts for the latter may however not upload their derivative work to Commons, as Attribution-NonCommercial does not meet the criteria for a free license.

<!--T:23-->
Multi-Licensing with restrictive licenses may be desirable for compatibility with the licensing scheme of other projects; also, multi-licensing allows people who create derivative work to release that work under a restrictive license only, if they wish—that is, it gives creators of derivative works ''more freedom'' with regards to which license they may use for their work. See {{pg|<tvar name="multi-licensing">Commons:Multi-licensing</tvar>|Commons:Multi-licensing}}.

=== Well-known licenses === <!--T:24-->

<!--T:25-->
The following well-known licenses are preferred for materials on Commons:
* [<tvar name="url1">//creativecommons.org/about/licenses/</tvar> '''Creative Commons'''] Attribution/ShareAlike licenses
* [<tvar name="url3">//www.gnu.org/licenses/licenses.html#GPL</tvar> GNU '''General Public License'''] (GPL) / [<tvar name="url4">//www.gnu.org/licenses/licenses.html#LGPL</tvar> GNU '''Lesser General Public License'''] (LGPL)
* [<tvar name="url5">https://artlibre.org/licence/lal/en/</tvar> '''Free Art License'''/'''Licence Art Libre''' (FAL/LAL)]
* [<tvar name="url6">https://opendatacommons.org/</tvar> '''Open Data Commons'''], for freely licensed databases where the '''contents''' are also free or available under a free license or cannot be separated from the database [<tvar name="url7">https://opendatacommons.org/faq/licenses/</tvar>].</translate>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ <translate><!--T:94--> Summary of Creative Commons licenses on Wikimedia Commons</translate>
|-
!scope="col"|<translate><!--T:97--> Creative Commons license icons and names</translate>
!scope="col"|<translate><!--T:98--> Abbreviations & versions</translate>
!scope="col"|<translate><!--T:99--> OK here?</translate>
!scope="col"|<translate><!--T:124--> Notes</translate>
|-
!scope="row"| [[File:Public Domain Mark button.svg|150x35px|left|Public Domain Mark]] <translate><!--T:131--> Public domain</translate>
| '''[//creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ CC Public Domain Mark 1.0]'''
|nowrap="nowrap"| [[File:OOjs UI icon help-ltr.svg|36px|Generally OK]] <translate><!--T:132--> Generally OK</translate>
| <translate><!--T:125--> Often found on Flickr images, and considered to be freely licensed in most circumstances. - [[<tvar name="1">#PD_1.0_and_Flickr</tvar>|see Public Domain section below]]</translate>
|-
!scope="row"| [[File:CC-Zero-badge.svg|150x35px|left|CC0 Button]] <translate><!--T:100--> Zero Public Domain, "No Rights Reserved"</translate>
| '''[https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0 CC0]''' 
| [[File:OOjs UI icon check-constructive.svg|36px|OK]] <translate><!--T:101--> OK</translate>
| 
|-
!scope="row"| [[File:CC BY icon.svg|150x35px|left|CC BY Button]] <translate><!--T:102--> Attribution</translate>
| '''CC BY ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/1.0 1.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 2.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5 2.5] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0 3.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 4.0])&lrm;<!--RTL support; Please do not remove it-->'''
| [[File:OOjs UI icon check-constructive.svg|36px|OK]] <translate><!--T:103--> OK</translate>
| 
|-
!scope="row"| [[File:CC BY-SA icon.svg|150x35px|left|CC BY-SA Button]] <translate><!--T:104--> Attribution-ShareAlike</translate>
|'''CC BY-SA ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0 1.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0 2.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5 2.5] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 3.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 4.0])&lrm;<!--RTL support; Please do not remove it-->'''
| [[File:OOjs UI icon check-constructive.svg|36px|OK]] <translate><!--T:105--> OK</translate>
| 
|-
!scope="row"| [[File:cc by-nc icon.svg|150x35px|left|CC BY-NC Button]] <translate><!--T:106--> Attribution-NonCommercial</translate>
|'''CC BY-NC ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/1.0 1.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0 2.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5 2.5] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0 3.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 4.0])&lrm;<!--RTL support; Please do not remove it-->'''
| [[File:OOjs UI icon cancel-destructive.svg|36px|Not OK]] <translate><!--T:107--> Not OK</translate>
| 
|-
!scope="row"| [[File:cc by-nc-nd icon.svg|150x35px|left|CC BY-NC-ND Button]] <translate><!--T:108--> Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs</translate>
|'''CC BY-NC-ND ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd-nc/1.0 1.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0 2.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5 2.5] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0 3.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 4.0])&lrm;<!--RTL support; Please do not remove it-->'''
| [[File:OOjs UI icon cancel-destructive.svg|36px|Not OK]] <translate><!--T:109--> Not OK</translate>
| 
|-
!scope="row"| [[File:cc-by-nc-sa icon.svg|150x35px|left|CC BY-NC-SA Button]] <translate><!--T:110--> Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike</translate>
|'''CC BY-NC-SA ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/1.0 1.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0 2.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5 2.5] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0 3.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 4.0])&lrm;<!--RTL support; Please do not remove it-->'''
| [[File:OOjs UI icon cancel-destructive.svg|36px|Not OK]] <translate><!--T:111--> Not OK</translate>
| 
|-
!scope="row"| [[File:cc by-nd icon.svg|150x35px|left|CC BY-ND Button]] <translate><!--T:112--> Attribution-NoDerivs</translate>
|'''CC BY-ND ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/1.0 1.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0 2.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.5 2.5] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0 3.0] [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0 4.0])&lrm;<!--RTL support; Please do not remove it-->'''
| [[File:OOjs UI icon cancel-destructive.svg|36px|Not OK]] <translate><!--T:113--> Not OK</translate>
| 
|-
!colspan="4"|<translate><!--T:126--> Notes on the symbols</translate>
|-
|colspan="4"|
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<!--T:116-->
;<tvar name="icon">[[File:Cc-by new white.svg|25px|CC BY Icon]]</tvar> "BY"
:This icon means that the image license requires [<tvar name="url">https://creativecommons.org/about/licenses</tvar> attribution], as such an image is created "BY" a certain person ("BY" is not an acronym in this case).</translate>
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<!--T:117-->
;<tvar name="icon">[[File:Cc-sa white.svg|25px|CC SA Icon]]</tvar> SA
:This icon is for [<tvar name="url">https://creativecommons.org/about/licenses</tvar> "Share Alike"]. It means that others may create derivative works but should publish their contributions under the same or compatible license as the original.</translate>
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<!--T:127-->
;<tvar name="icon1">[[File:Cc-nc white.svg|25px|CC NC Icon]]</tvar> NC
:This icon refers to a [<tvar name="url1">https://creativecommons.org/about/licenses</tvar> "Non-Commercial"] license ('''not allowed''' on Commons)</translate>
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<!--T:128-->
;<tvar name="icon2">[[Image:Cc-nd_white.svg|25px|CC ND Icon]]</tvar> ND
:This icon refers to a [<tvar name="url2">https://creativecommons.org/about/licenses</tvar> "No-Derivatives"] license ('''not allowed''' on Commons)
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|}

*[[Image:Cc-pd.svg|25px|Public Domain Icon]]&nbsp;<translate><!--T:26--> Again, works in the '''public domain''' are also accepted ([[<tvar name="anchor-pd">#Material in the public domain</tvar>|see below]]).</translate>

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<!--T:129-->
See {{pg|<tvar name="tags">Commons:Copyright tags</tvar>|Commons:Copyright tags}} for more licenses.

=== Forbidden licenses === <!--T:130-->

<!--T:28-->
Works which are not available under a license which meets the [<tvar name="url">https://freedomdefined.org/Definition</tvar> Definition of Free Cultural Works] are '''explicitly not allowed'''. See the Wikimedia Foundation [[foundation:Resolution:Licensing policy|board resolution on licensing]] for more information.

<!--T:29-->
Some examples of licensing statuses commonly found on the Internet, but '''forbidden''' on Commons, include:

<!--T:95-->
* <tvar name="icon1">[[Image:Cc-nc_white.svg|25px|CC NC Icon]]</tvar> Creative Commons [<tvar name="url1">https://creativecommons.org/about/licenses</tvar> Non-Commercial Only] (-NC) licenses
* <tvar name="icon2">[[Image:Cc-nd_white.svg|25px|CC ND Icon]]</tvar> Creative Commons [<tvar name="url2">https://creativecommons.org/about/licenses</tvar> No-Derivatives] (-ND) licenses
* Unlicensed material usable only under ''fair use'', ''fair dealing'', or other similar legal exceptions ([[<tvar name="anchor">#Material under the fair use clause is not allowed on Commons</tvar>|see below for the reasons]])
* GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL), under certain conditions ([[#GNU Free Documentation License|see below]])

<!--T:30-->
Non-permitted licenses may '''only''' be used on Commons if the work is multi-licensed under at least one permitted license.

<!--T:96-->
''If an image is not OK, consider {{pg|Commons:Email_templates|asking the author to release their work under a free license}} such as [<tvar name="cc-by">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0</tvar> CC BY] (Creative Commons Attribution license), or [<tvar name="cc-by-sa">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0</tvar> CC BY-SA] (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike).''</translate>

<span id=GFDL></span>
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=== GNU Free Documentation License === <!--T:119--> 

<!--T:27-->
The [<tvar name="url2">//www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html</tvar> '''GNU Free Documentation License'''] (GFDL) is not practical for most content, especially for printed media, because it requires that they be published along with the full text of the license. Thus, it is preferable to publish the work with a dual license, adding to the GFDL a license that permits use of the photo or text easily; a Creative Commons license, for example. Also, do not use the GPL and LGPL licenses as the only license for your own works if it can be avoided, as they are not really suitable for anything but software.

<!--T:118-->
GFDL is not permitted as the only acceptable license where all of the following are true:
*The content was licensed on or after 15 October 2018. The licensing date is considered, not the creation or upload date.
*The content is primarily a photograph, painting, drawing, audio or video.
*The content is not a software logo, diagram or screenshot that is extracted from a GFDL software manual.

== License information == <!--T:31-->
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{{shortcut2|COM:LI}}
[[File:Gammarayburst-GRB990123.jpeg|thumb|250px|<translate><!--T:32--> Example image with the recommended detailed image description (see image page)</translate>]]
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<!--T:33-->
All description pages on Commons must indicate clearly under which license the materials were published, and must contain the information required by the license (author, etc.) and should also contain information sufficient for others to verify the license status even when not required by the license itself or by copyright laws.

<!--T:34-->
Specifically, the following information ''must'' be given on the description page, regardless if the license requires it or not:
* The '''License''' that applies to the material. This must be done using a {{pg|<tvar name="tags">Commons:Copyright tags</tvar>|copyright tag}}.
* The '''Source''' of the material. If the uploader is the author, '''''this should be stated explicitly.''''' (e.g. "Created by uploader", "Self-made", "Own work", etc.) Otherwise, please include a web link or a complete citation if possible. Note: Things like "Transferred from Wikipedia" are generally ''not'' considered a valid source unless that is where it was originally published. The primary source should be provided.</translate>
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<!--T:35-->
* The '''Author/Creator''' of the image or media file. For media that are considered to be in the public domain because the copyright has expired, the date of death of the author may also be crucial (see [[<tvar name="anchor-pd">#Material in the public domain</tvar>|the section about public domain material]] below). '''''A generic license template which implies that the uploader is the copyright holder (e.g. <tvar name="tpl">{{tl|PD-self}}</tvar>) is no substitution for this requirement.''''' The only exceptions to this is if the author wishes to remain anonymous or in certain cases where the author is unknown but enough information exists to show the work is truly in the public domain (such as the date of creation/publication).

<!--T:36-->
Of less importance, but ''should'' always be provided if possible:
* The '''Description''' of the image or media file. What is it of? How was it created?
* The '''Date''' and place of creation. For media that are considered to be in the public domain because the copyright has expired, the date of creation may be crucial (see [[<tvar name="anchor-pd">#Material in the public domain</tvar>|the section about public domain material]] below).

<!--T:37-->
These points of the description can be done at best using the [[<tvar name="info-tpl">Template:Information</tvar>|Information template]]. For usage of this template see {{pg|<tvar name="first-steps-quality">Commons:First steps/Quality and description</tvar>|Commons:First steps/Quality and description}}.

=== Scope of licensing === <!--T:38-->

<!--T:39-->
In some cases, a document (media file) may have multiple ''aspects'' that can and have to be licensed: Every person that contributed a critical part of the work has rights to the results, and all have to make their contribution available under a free license—see '''''{{pg|<tvar name="derivative">Commons:derivative work</tvar>|derivative work}}'''''. However, the distinctions are unclear and may differ from country to country. Here are a few examples to clarify:

<!--T:40-->
* For a '''music recording''', the following aspects must be taken into account, and each must be under a free license (or in the public domain):
** The score of the music (rights by the composer)
** The lyrics of the song (rights by the writer)
** The performance (rights by the performers)
** The recording (rights by the technical personnel / recording company)</translate>
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<!--T:41-->
* For a '''picture of artwork''' (also book covers and the like), it is similar:
** The creator of the original artwork has rights to any reproductions and derivative work.
** The photographer has rights to the image, if it is not a plain reproduction of the original.</translate>
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<!--T:42-->
* For a picture of '''a building''', note that the architect may hold some rights if distinct architectural features are shown, but see also {{pg|<tvar name="fop">Commons:Freedom of panorama</tvar>|Commons:Freedom of panorama}}.

<!--T:43-->
This is often problematic, if the artwork is not the primary content of the image or is not clearly recognizable: in that case, usually only the creator of the resulting picture (recording, etc.) holds a copyright. For instance, when taking a photograph of a group of people in a museum, the photo may also show some paintings on the walls. In that case the copyright of those paintings does not have to be taken into account. The distinction however is not very clear. The {{pg|<tvar name="de-minims">Commons:De minimis</tvar>|Commons:De minimis}} policy has more information about this concept.

<!--T:44-->
Note that the license for ''all'' aspects has to be determined and mentioned explicitly. 
Also note that most ''reproductions'' do not allow the person doing the reproduction to claim a new copyright; the creator of a digital ''image'' / ''reproduction'' of a picture owns no ''new'' copyright to the resulting digital image. The only relevant copyright is that of the original picture. This also applies to {{pg|<tvar name="screenshots">Commons:Screenshots</tvar>|Screenshots}}.
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{{anchor|PUBDOMAT}}
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== Material in the public domain == <!--T:45-->
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{{shortcut2|COM:PD}}
{{See|Help:Public domain}}
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<!--T:78-->
Material released under a license like [[CC0]] is considered the equivalent of public domain material; works that lack originality and edicts are in the public domain; a few governments around the world, including the US Federal, California, and Florida governments place most of their works, including most of their {{Public records|public records}} in the public domain; [[W:WP:PD|the English Wikipedia's guideline on public domain material]] more precisely defines these many exceptions.

<!--T:46-->
Commons accepts material that is in the {{wp-public domain|public domain}}, that is, documents allowed by the above exception, or that are not eligible to copyright, or for which the copyright has expired. But the "public domain" is complicated; copyright laws vary between countries, and thus a work may be in the public domain in one country, but still be copyrighted in another country. There are international treaties such as the {{Berne Convention|Berne Convention}} that set some minimum standards, but individual countries are free to go beyond these minimums. A general rule of thumb is that ''if the creator of a work has been deceased for more than 70 years'', their works are in the public domain in the country the creator was a citizen of and in the country where the work was first published. If the work is anonymous or a collaborative work (e.g. an encyclopedia), it is typically in the public domain 70 years after the date of the first publication. If the author is unknown after an extensive search, a work may be presumed to be in the public domain 120 years after creation (see <tvar name="tpl-pd-old-assumed">{{tl|PD-old-assumed}}</tvar> for more details).

<!--T:47-->
Many countries use such a copyright term of 70 years. '''A notable exception is the U.S.''' Due to historical circumstances, the United States has more complex rules:
* Works published before <tvar name="year">{{Not-PD-US-expired-min-year}}</tvar> are in the public domain. 
* For works first published before 1964, copyright lasts '''28 years after publication''', and is therefore currently expired '''unless the owner filed for renewal''' during the window between 27 and 28 years after publication.<!--
 --><p>If renewed during that window, copyright lasts until '''95 years after first publication'''.</p><!--
 --><p>The large majority of works published before 1964 have passed into the public domain, but '''it is imperative to determine''' that copyright was not renewed. (The [<tvar name="url">https://cocatalog.loc.gov/</tvar> US Copyright Office online catalog] can be used to search for renewals in 1978 or later—useful for works published in 1951 through 1963; Google has scans of the paper catalog including [<tvar name="url2">https://books.google.com/googlebooks/copyrightsearch.html</tvar> works registered from 1923 up to 1978]).</p>
* For works first published before 1978: until '''95 years after the first publication'''.
* For works first published 1978 or later: until '''70 years after the author's death'''. Anonymous works or {{Work for hire|work made for hire}}: until the shorter of '''95 years since the first publication''' or '''120 years since the creation''' of the work.
For works created before 1978 but only published 1978 or later, there are some [[:en:WP:PD#Unpublished works|special rules]]. These terms apply in the U.S. also for foreign works.

<!--T:48-->
However, the year and location of publication is essential. In several countries, material published before a certain year is in the public domain. In the U.S. this date is January 1, <tvar name="year">{{Not-PD-US-expired-min-year}}</tvar>. In some countries, ''all'' government-published material is public domain, while in others governments claim some copyright (see {{pg|<tvar name="rules-by-terr">Commons:Copyright rules by territory</tvar>}}).

<!--T:87-->
In the US, the copyright situation for '''sound recordings''' (including those published before <tvar name="year">{{Not-PD-US-expired-min-year}}</tvar>) is a special case. Under {{w|Music_Modernization_Act#Title_II:_CLASSICS_Act|Title II}} of the {{w|Music Modernization Act}}, recordings that were first fixed prior to February 15, 1972 are copyrighted for a period of time under US federal copyright that depends on when the recording was first published. This federal copyright applies regardless of any formalities (copyright notice, registration, and/or renewal.) The specific copyright term lengths are as follows:

<!--T:120-->
* Recordings that were first published prior to 1923 entered the public domain on '''January 1, 2022'''.
* Recordings that were first published between 1923 and 1946 are copyrighted for a period of '''100 years after first publication'''.
* Recordings that were first published between 1947 and 1956 are copyrighted for a period of '''110 years after first publication'''.
* Recordings that were published after 1956 and first fixed prior to February 15, 1972 will enter the public domain on '''February 15, 2067'''.

<!--T:121-->
Sound recordings that were first fixed on or after February 15, 1972 are subject to the same US copyright law term lengths and provisions as other works.

<!--T:49-->
In some jurisdictions (like the United States), one can also explicitly donate work one has created oneself to the public domain. In other places (like the European Union) this is technically not possible; instead, one can grant the right to use the picture freely with, for example, the [<tvar name="url">//creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/</tvar> Creative Commons Zero Waiver], which waives all rights granted by copyright, but the waiver might not be legally binding in the full extent of what is normally understood as “public domain” (e.g. regarding {{pg|<tvar name="moral-rights">Commons:Non-copyright restrictions</tvar>|anchor=moral-rights|authors' moral rights}}).

<!--T:50-->
The {{pg|<tvar name="chart">Commons:Hirtle chart</tvar>|Hirtle chart}} is '''a tool for helping to determine if something is in the public domain in the United States.''' {{pg|<tvar name="quick-guide">Commons:International copyright quick reference guide</tvar>|Commons:International copyright quick reference guide}} helps to determine if a work first published outside the United States can be uploaded.

=== Interaction of US and non-US copyright law === <!--T:51-->
</translate>
[[File:Mona_Lisa.jpg|thumb|150px|<translate><!--T:52--> Every faithful reproduction of ''Mona Lisa'' is considered by Commons to be public domain. See "'''Exception'''" in text for details.</translate>]]
<translate>
<!--T:53-->
Commons is an international project, but its servers are located in the U.S., and its content should be maximally reusable. Uploads of non-U.S. works are normally allowed only if the work is either in the public domain or covered by a valid free license in ''both the U.S. '''and''' the country of origin of the work.'' The "country of origin" of a work is generally the country where the work was first published.</translate><ref><translate><!--T:133--> In cases where a work is simultaneously published in multiple countries, the "country of origin" is the country which grants the shortest term of copyright protection, per the [<tvar name="url">https://www.law.cornell.edu/treaties/berne/5.html</tvar> Berne Convention].</translate></ref>

<translate><!--T:54-->
When uploading material from a country outside the U.S., the copyright laws of ''that country '''and''' the U.S.'' normally apply. If material that has been saved from a third-party website is uploaded to Commons, the copyright laws of the U.S., the country of residence of the uploader, ''and'' the country of location of the web servers of the website apply. Thus, any licence to use the material should apply in all relevant jurisdictions; if the material is in the public domain, it must normally be in the public domain in all these jurisdictions (plus in the country of origin of the work) for it to be allowable on Commons.

<!--T:55-->
For example, if a person in the UK uploads a picture that has been saved off a French website to the Commons server, the uploader must be covered by UK, French and US copyright law. For that person to upload that photograph to Commons, the photograph must be public domain in France, the UK and the US, or there must be an acceptable copyright license for the photograph that covers the UK, US and France.

<!--T:56-->
'''Exception:''' Faithful reproductions of two-dimensional works of art, such as paintings, which are in the {{wp-public domain|public domain}} are an exception to this rule. In July 2008, following a {{pg|<tvar name="pd-art-statement">Commons:When_to_use_the_PD-Art_tag</tvar>|anchor=WMFPOS|statement}} clarifying [[:wmf:Resolution:Licensing policy|WMF policy]], Commons {{pg|<tvar name="pd-art-poll">Commons:When to use the PD-Art tag/Straw Poll</tvar>|voted}} to the effect that all such photographs are accepted as public domain regardless of country of origin, and tagged with a warning. For details, see {{pg|<tvar name="pd-art-policy">Commons:When to use the PD-Art tag</tvar>|Commons:When to use the PD-Art tag}}.
</translate>
<span id="URAA"></span>
<translate>
=== Uruguay Round Agreements Act === <!--T:57-->
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<!--
Note: If you change this header, please also adjust the links to its anchor in:
* Commons:When to use the PD-Art tag
-->
<translate>
<!--T:58-->
:''Main page: {{pg|<tvar name="uraa-issue">Commons:URAA-restored copyrights</tvar>|Commons:URAA-restored copyrights}}''
The {{wp-Uruguay Round Agreements Act|Uruguay Round Agreements Act}} or URAA is a US law that restored copyrights in the U.S. on foreign works if that work was still copyrighted in the foreign source country on the URAA date. This URAA date was January 1, 1996 for most countries. This means that foreign works became copyrighted in the U.S. even if they had been in the public domain in the U.S. before the URAA date. See also {{wp-Non-U.S. copyrights|Wikipedia:Non-U.S. copyrights}}.

<!--T:59-->
Because the constitutionality of this law was challenged in court, Commons initially permitted users to upload images that would have been public domain in the U.S. without the URAA. However, the constitutionality of the URAA was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in ''{{Golan v. Holder|Golan v. Holder}}''. After {{pg|<tvar name="uraa-discussion">Commons:Deletion requests/All files copyrighted in the US under the URAA</tvar>|discussion}}, it was determined that the affected files would not be deleted en masse but reviewed individually. There was {{pg|<tvar name="pd-review-discussion">Commons:Requests for comment/PD review</tvar>|further discussion}} about the best method for review of affected files, resulting in the creation of {{pg|<tvar name="wikiproject">Commons:WikiProject Public Domain</tvar>|Commons:WikiProject Public Domain}}.

<!--T:84-->
Files affected by the URAA should be tagged with <tvar name="tpl">{{tl|Not-PD-US-URAA}}</tvar>. 

<!--T:88-->
Files nominated for deletion due to the URAA should be evaluated carefully, as should be their copyright status under US and local laws. A mere ''allegation'' that the URAA applies to a file cannot be the sole reason for deletion. If the end result of copyright evaluation is that there is significant doubt about the freedom of a file under US or local law, the file must be deleted in line with the {{pg|<tvar name="precautionary">Commons:Project scope/Precautionary principle</tvar>|precautionary principle}}.
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{{Section|Material under the fair use clause is not allowed on Commons}}
<translate>

=== Old orphan works ===
Old orphan works are accepted, provided that
* the works were created before {{CURRENTYEAR-95}}
* or, the works were created before the ''pma'' duration in the country of origin, which would satisfy {{tl|PD-1996}} if published at the time of creation (e.g. works created before 1946 for 50 years pma countries).

===PD 1.0 and Flickr=== <!--T:123-->
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{{seealso|Commons:Flickr files}}
<translate><!--T:138--> [[<tvar name="icon">File:Cc-public domain mark white.svg|25px</tvar>|CC Public Domain Icon|<tvar name="url">link=https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/</tvar>]]</translate> <translate><!--T:134-->
The [<tvar name="url">https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/</tvar> Creative Commons Public Domain 1.0] mark (PDM) is often applied to images on photography websites such as Flickr.com, and is not a license. Despite this, the community found that when a user applies PDM to their own work, they are releasing their work to be in the public domain, and these works are believed to be freely licensed. For further information, see [[<tvar name="diff">Special:Diff/443799320#Accept files published by the copyright holder with a Public Domain Mark</tvar>|Accept files published by the copyright holder with a Public Domain Mark]].

== ''Fair use'' is not allowed on Commons == <!--T:60-->

<!--T:61-->
Wikimedia Commons does ''not'' accept content under the condition of {{wp-fair use|fair use}}. See {{pg|<tvar name="com-fu">Commons:Fair use</tvar>|Commons:Fair use}}.

== Derivative works == <!--T:62-->
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[[File:Jimbo and friends.png|thumb|180px|<translate><!--T:63--> This montage is an example of a derivative work. It combines various preexisting images that are in the public domain or available under the [[Commons:Copyright tags/Free Creative Commons licenses#Attribution-ShareAlike (by-sa)|Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0]] license.</translate>]]
<translate>
<!--T:64-->
You want a picture of Mickey Mouse, but of course you can't just scan it in. Why not take a picture of a little action figure and then upload it? Don't. The reason why you can't upload photographs of such figures is that they are considered as {{wp-Derivative work|derivative works}}. Such works can't be published without permission of the original creator. 

<!--T:65-->
The US Copyright Act of 1976, Section 101, says: "A ''derivative work'' is a work based upon one or more preexisting works, such as a translation, musical arrangement, dramatization, fictionalization, motion picture version, sound recording, art reproduction, abridgment, condensation, or any other form in which a work may be recast, transformed, or adapted. A work consisting of editorial revisions, annotations, elaborations, or other modifications which, as a whole, represent an original work of authorship, is a “derivative work”." A photograph of a copyrighted item is considered a derivative work in US jurisdiction. US Copyright Act of 1976, Section 106: "(...) The owner of copyright under this title has the exclusive rights to do and to authorize any of the following: (...) (2) to prepare derivative works based upon the copyrighted work;"

<!--T:66-->
Therefore, "unauthorized" derivative works, like photographs of copyrighted action figures, toys, etc., must be deleted.
''For more information, see {{pg|<tvar name="derivative">Commons:Derivative works</tvar>|Commons:Derivative works}}.''

<!--T:79-->
'''Exception:''' So-called ''useful articles'' - objects with an intrinsic '''utilitarian''' function, even if commercial designs, are not subject to copyright protection in the US. Consequently, images thereof are not derivative works under US law. For details and applicability of this exception, see the Supreme Court’s decision in [[w:Mazer v. Stein|Mazer v. Stein]], and <tvar name="tpl">{{tl|Useful-object-US}}</tvar>.

== Simple design == <!--T:67-->
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[[File:Microsoft logo (2012).svg|thumb|<translate><!--T:68--> Logo of Microsoft&nbsp;– <tvar name="tpl">{{tl|PD-textlogo}}</tvar></translate>]]
<translate>
<!--T:69-->
Regarding trademarks (see also {{pg|<tvar name="tm-rules">Commons:Copyright_rules_by_subject_matter</tvar>|anchor=TRADEM|Commons:Copyright rules by subject matter: Trademarks}}): Most commercial items and products are protected by intellectual property laws in one way or another, but copyright is only one such protection. It is important to make the distinction between copyright, trademarks, and patents. Wikimedia Commons generally only enforces copyright restrictions, for these reasons:
# Almost anything can be trademarked, and it wouldn't make sense to forbid everything. 
# Trademarks and industrial designs restrictions are pertinent to industrial reproduction, but photographs of such items can otherwise be freely reproduced.

<!--T:70-->
→ For these reasons Commons accepts any trademark whose copyright has expired. Moreover, Commons accepts images of text in a general typeface and of ''simple geometric shapes'', even if it happens to be a recent trademarked logo, on the grounds that such an image is not sufficiently creative to attract copyright protection.</translate><ref><translate><!--T:135--> See [[s:Ets-Hokin v. Skyy Spirits Inc.|Ets-Hokin v. Skyy Spirits Inc]] where it was decided that the [[<tvar name="1">:File:SkyyVodka750ml.jpg</tvar>|SKYY vodka bottle and logo]] were not copyrightable.</translate></ref> 
<translate><!--T:136-->
Such images should be tagged with <tvar name="tpl-pd-ineligible">{{tl|PD-ineligible}}</tvar> or one of the [[<tvar name="PD-ineligible_tags">Template:PD-ineligible#Specific_PD-ineligible_tags</tvar>|list of more specific tags]] for this kind of works (e.g. <tvar name="tpl-pd-textlogo">{{tl|PD-textlogo}}</tvar> for simple logos).

<!--T:89-->
''Raster'' renderings (i.e. PNG images) of uncopyrighted simple designs can themselves be regarded as being uncopyrighted. For ''vector'' images (i.e. SVG files) of uncopyrighted simple designs, the question as to whether the vector representation has its own copyright is less clear; see the {{w|Wikipedia:Public_domain#Fonts|English Wikipedia copyright information about fonts}} and the [[<tvar name="tpl-talk">Template_talk:PD-textlogo</tvar>|<tvar name="tpl-name"><nowiki>{{PD-textlogo}}</nowiki></tvar> talk page]] for more information.

<!--T:71-->
It is often very difficult to determine whether a design is protected by copyright or not, and images of these sorts are frequently nominated for deletion, with various results. See {{pg|<tvar name="originality">Commons:Threshold of originality</tvar>|Commons:Threshold of originality}} and/or “[[:en:Threshold of originality|Threshold of originality]]” (in Wikipedia) for some guidance.
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{{anchor|FONT}}
<translate>
=== Fonts === <!--T:72-->
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{{redirect|1=COM:FONT|2=<translate><!--T:137--> the fonts available for SVG rendering</translate>|3=meta:SVG fonts}}

{{shortcut2|COM:FONT}}
<translate><!--T:73-->
The {{raster graphics|raster}} rendering of a font (or ''typeface'') is not subject to copyright in the U.S., and therefore is in the public domain. It may be copyrighted in other countries (see [[:en:Typeface#Intellectual property|intellectual property of typefaces]] on Wikipedia). You should use <tvar name="tpl-pd-font">{{tl|PD-font}}</tvar> in this case.

== Copyright rules == <!--T:74-->

<!--T:75-->
Some guidance on applicable copyright rules can be found at
</translate>
* {{pg|Commons:Copyright rules by territory}}
* {{pg|Commons:Copyright rules by subject matter}} <translate><!--T:122--> (formerly "Commons:Image casebook")</translate>
** {{pg|Commons:Currency}}
** {{pg|Commons:Stamps/Public domain}}

<translate>
<!--T:85-->
See also
</translate>
* {{pg|Commons:Derivative works}}
** {{pg|Commons:Freedom of panorama}}
** {{pg|Commons:De minimis}}
** {{pg|Commons:Threshold of originality}}

<translate>
== See also == <!--T:86-->

<!--T:90-->
* {{pg|<tvar name="copyright-tags">Commons:Copyright tags</tvar>|Copyright tags}}
* [[<tvar name="enwp-copyright-faq">:en:Wikipedia:Copyright FAQ</tvar>|Copyright FAQ for English Wikipedia]]
* {{pg|<tvar name="h-pd">Help:Public domain</tvar>|Help:Public domain}}
* [[m:Open Content - A Practical Guide to Using Creative Commons Licences|Open Content - A Practical Guide to Using Creative Commons Licences]] (also available as [[:File:Open_Content_A_Practical_Guide_to_Using_Creative_Commons_Licences_web.pdf|PDF]], <tvar name="isbn">{{ISBN|978-3-940785-57-2}}</tvar>)
* {{pg|<tvar name="stock">Commons:Stock.xchng_images</tvar>|Stock.xchng Policy}}
* {{pg|<tvar name="wp-pr">Commons:WikiProject Permission requests</tvar>|Commons:WikiProject Permission requests}}
* [[<tvar name="choosing-l">Commons:Choosing a license</tvar>|Commons:Choosing a license]]

== Notes == <!--T:76-->
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{{reflist}}
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== External links == <!--T:77-->

<!--T:80-->
Collections of laws:
* [<tvar name="url1">http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=14076&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html</tvar> UNESCO collection of copyright laws].
* [<tvar name="url2">https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/</tvar> WIPO Lex].
* [<tvar name="url3">http://www.cerlalc.org/derechoenlinea/dar/leyes.htm</tvar> CERLALC: Copyright laws of Latin America, the Caribbean states, and Spain and Portugal].
* [<tvar name="url4">http://www.cipr.org/legal_reference/index.htm</tvar> CIPR: Copyright laws of the CIS nations and the three Baltic states].
* [<tvar name="url5">http://www.ecap3.org/asean-countries-ip-legislation.html</tvar> ECAP: Copyright laws of ASEAN countries].
* [<tvar name="url6">http://www.euromedaudiovisuel.net/legaltexts.aspx?treeID=7905&lang=en</tvar> EuroMed Audiovisual II] EU programme; has recent copyright laws of some mediterranean states (from Morocco to Turkey).

<!--T:81-->
Copyright treaties:
* [<tvar name="url1">https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/wipo_treaties/details.jsp?treaty_id=15</tvar> Berne Convention].
* [<tvar name="url2">https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/wipo_treaties/details.jsp?treaty_id=16</tvar> WIPO Copyright treaty].
* [<tvar name="url3">http://europe.eu.int/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexapi!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=en&numdoc=31993L0098&model=guichett</tvar> EU Council Directive 93/98/EEC on the harmonization of copyright terms in the EU.] 

<!--T:82-->
Other:
* ''[<tvar name="url1">https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ38a.pdf</tvar> Circular 38a: International Copyright Relations of the United States]'', from the U.S. Copyright Office. (A bit dated, some countries are missing.)
* ''[<tvar name="url2">https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ38b.pdf</tvar> Circular 38b: Highlights of Copyright Amendments Contained in the URAA]'', from the U.S. Copyright Office.
* [[<tvar name="3">:s:United States Code/Title 17/Chapter 1/Section 104A</tvar>|17 USC 104A]]: Copyright restorations in the U.S. due to the URAA
* [<tvar name="url4">http://digital-law-online.info/lpdi1.0/treatise-toc.html</tvar> Copyright in the USA]
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{{Commons policies and guidelines}}

[[Category:Commons policies{{Langcat|Licensing}}]]
[[Category:Commons help{{Langcat|Licensing}}]]
[[Category:Commons image resources{{Langcat|Licensing}}]]
[[Category:Commons licensing help{{Langcat|Licensing}}|*]]