Forum:Proper Image Use

As a wiki with over 17,000 images and growing, it's very clear that we like to keep articles creative and look appealing. And sometimes, game screenshots or hand-drawn sketches just don't cut it. So we resort to a number of means, not the least number of which is importing them from other sites. And which is the most popular site? You guessed it, deviantArt.

Now, the copyright policy applies to any online site, but the recent issues we've had are most apparent on deviantArt, who've taken objection to some of our less respectful uses for their work (the same can be said the other way around, but that's beside the point). We've never had an image policy on Halo Fanon strong enough to ensure that all the new images we're uploading are being used fairly. And that's what we need to do. Not for some imported images. Not for most imported images. All imported images.

As a site that condones fair, non-profit use of content, images or otherwise, we need to make sure we practise what we preach and respect the copyright of others. So here's my proposal on how it's to be broken down:


 * 1) It is strongly suggested that you ask the artist's permission to using their image prior to importing it.
 * 2) If the creator of an artwork states that their image is not to be distributed for any form of use, it is off-limits, period.
 * 3) An imported image must contain a source link. Art and author names are optional, but recommended (see one of my linked images).
 * 4) Do not remove copyright labels or watermarks on an art that you wish to use. If you want to remove the artist's signature from the image, you must ask the artist first.
 * 5) Do not place templates endorsing the re-distribution of any other artist's work, even if they have given you permission to use it. The copyright status of an image is for them to decide alone.
 * 6) Should the creator at any time ask for you to delete the image, it must be done immediately and without objection.

If there are any rules you find aren't necessary or need to be revised, let me know in the comments below. Otherwise, this will soon be taken on as the official image policy.