Free content
From Wikiversity
This is intended to be a learning project about free content, what "free" and "unfree" content is, and what kinds of free content there is (ie what licences are used). This could a central node for all Wikimedia contributors who want to 1) find out more about free content, and 2) help others with licencing issues, and 3) discuss the various benefits and limitations of free content licences. However, as this page is only just beginning, please add any information, comments and questions, which we could eventually refactor into some useful learning material.
Contents |
[edit] Major issues
[edit] What is "free" content?
Free content is content (ie books, music, images, etc.) which can be used freely, under one or a combination of free licences. Examples of this are any of Wikimedia projects' content - amongst which is this project, Wikiversity. For a breakdown of what licences are available, and what they mean, see below. Also, see Wikiversity:Copyrights and Commons:Licensing.
[edit] What is "unfree" content?
In contrast to free content, "unfree" content (or content under copyright), is released under heavy restriction of use. This means (amongst other things) that the content cannot be reproduced in other formats, publications etc., except by permission of the author and/or publisher, or except under certain specific legal clauses, such as that of "fair" or "educational" use (though this varies between countries and contexts).
More things than you might imagine are copyright, for example:
- A photograph you have made of a person who has not given their consent to be photographed.
- A photograph you have made of another creative work - a public sculpture, a detail of an architectural interior, even an action figure! (though this depends on the country, author rights etc.)
- A screenshot you have made of proprietary (i.e. "non-free") software.
- A scan you have made of a book/album cover.
[edit] What licences are there?
[edit] What are the differences between different licences?
[Intro needed]
- What licences do you think work best in specific contexts?
- What would you prefer to use?
[edit] Questions
Are you confused about any aspect of free content? Please ask any question(s) you have about this subject here.
- ...
[edit] Participants
If you are interested in free content (whether you are knowledgeable, or want to find out more), please sign your name here, and state what your interest, experience is.
- Cormaggio - I still feel like I'm very much learning, and do not understand fully the ins and outs of different licences. I'd love for someone to guide us/me through these complexities :-)
- luke - learning too, and in a practical sort of way ~) Glad to help in any way, if I can.
- The Jade Knight - Particularly aware & supportive of the Creative Commons licenses.
- Mirwin - I participate in free engineering projects such as cisLunarFreighter and Lunar Boom Town.
[edit] Resources
- Open Source textbook (on Wikibooks)
- Copyleft article (on Wikipedia)
- Text of the GNU Free Documentation License
- Creative Commons BY 2.5 (full licence)
[edit] Free tools
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Definition of free content
- Open Source Initiative (OSI)
- Electronic Freedom Foundation
- Creative Commons
- GNU licences
- Open Rights Group (UK)
- Participatory Culture Foundation
