FamilySearch Wiki talk:Image Use

Our Image use policy doesn't officially exclude .doc and .xls files, but if they are uploaded, they could contain macros that could potentially be harmful to users' computers. Additionally, whether they do or not, the page has a warning that tends to scare users away from reviewing those documents.

It is now so easy to publish .pdf versions of these files and we suggest that if someone wants to share info that doesn't belong on a wiki page, that they upload it in .pdf format instead of in .doc or .xls. We propose to make this an official policy on the Image use page.

Please vote and share additional thoughts if you have any on the forum thread relating to this topic. janellv 22:38, 22 February 2011 (UTC)

Uploading non-free or copyrighted images
The policy currently states that "Users should avoid uploading non-free or copyrighted images", while that falls short of an outright ban, the article does not go on to give instruction/guidance on how or under what circumstance non-free or copyrighted images can be uploaded and used. I would be interested in hearing other users views and thoughts on this subject. --Steve (talk | contribs) 17:37, 31 July 2011 (UTC)


 * So, are you asking, "Users should "avoid" adding non-free or copyrighted images, but in the event that there is no other way to add the needed image, then users should do WHAT?" -Fran 22:25, 4 August 2011 (UTC)


 * Yes. I think the wiki needs to be clear that when a non-free or copyrighted image is used (because no suitable free image is available) how the "permission to use" should be documented. This page FamilySearch Wiki:Image use only mentions that non-free or copyrighted images should be avoided, not how they can be used. FamilySearch Wiki:Copyrights states that contributors must have received written consent of the copyright owner to use their work. Is it enough to say that this has been received or should it be documented, and if so how? See for example . --Steve (talk | contribs) 13:24, 5 August 2011 (UTC)

Images of persons - proposed change of policy
The Wiki Community Council has discussed the suggestion of amending the image use policy to include a further exception of "images including identifiable individuals can only be used if those individuals have consented to its publication". We would like to hear from anybody who has views about this proposed change either for or against. --Steve 21:05, 12 December 2012 (UTC)


 * How would you determine that they have given permission? averyld 21:52, 12 December 2012 (UTC)


 * Good question. My thinking is that the Research Wiki could set-up/follow similar guidelines as those used by Wikimedia Commons (see Commons:Photographs of identifiable people and Template:Consent). --Steve 00:18, 13 December 2012 (UTC)
 * We have been working with legal on this question. Due to the lack of discussion, we will assume that the community doesn't appose this idea. But rather than open up the wiki to include any living individual with permission, we are opening it up to the groups that actually want this - societies and family history centers who want pictures of their facilities being actively utilized. The proposed exception allows for: "an image of a society, library, or family history center showing the facilities being actively used." How does that sound? -- janellv 20:17, 30 July 2013 (UTC)
 * We have been working with legal on this question. Due to the lack of discussion, we will assume that the community doesn't appose this idea. But rather than open up the wiki to include any living individual with permission, we are opening it up to the groups that actually want this - societies and family history centers who want pictures of their facilities being actively utilized. The proposed exception allows for: "an image of a society, library, or family history center showing the facilities being actively used." How does that sound? -- janellv 20:17, 30 July 2013 (UTC)


 * Sounds like a good suggestion. I would still advocate that the uploader would need to put their name to a template like Template:Consent that is used by WikiMedia Commons. --Steve 19:02, 1 August 2013 (UTC)