View source for Startupedia:Copyrights

{{short description|Startupedia's policy on content licensing and copyright}}

<div style="background-color: #f0f8ff; color: inherit; border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 1ex; margin: 1ex; margin-right: 20em; min-width: 20em;">
'''Important note:''' The Startupedia does not hold copyright over article texts or images on Startupedia. '''Contacting us to request permission to use Startupedia content is unnecessary''', as reproduction and modification are already permitted under the licensing terms outlined below, except for trademarked Startupedia logos, which require explicit permission.

For inquiries about using Startupedia logos, contact the Startupedia Admin. For all other content, check the specific licensing terms for each article or image, as described in [[Startupedia:Reusing content|Reusing content]] and [[Startupedia:Image use policy|Image use policy]].
</div>

Startupedia content, including text and many images, is copyrighted under the [[Berne Convention]] by its contributors and licensed to the public under the [[Startupedia:Text of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License|Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License]] (CC BY-SA 4.0). Some content may also be available under the [[Startupedia:Text of the GNU Free Documentation License|GNU Free Documentation License]] (GFDL), unversioned, with no invariant sections or cover texts. Certain texts or images may carry specific licensing terms, noted in page footers, histories, or discussion pages. Always verify the license for each image on its description page.

Startupedia’s licensing allows content to be freely copied, modified, and redistributed, provided the new work is shared under the same license and credits the original authors (typically via a link to the source article). This [[copyleft]] approach ensures content remains freely accessible while respecting contributor rights.

To this end:
* '''Permission is granted''' to copy, distribute, and modify Startupedia’s text under the CC BY-SA 4.0 and, unless specified otherwise, the GFDL, unversioned, with no invariant sections or cover texts.
* The full text of the CC BY-SA 4.0 is available at [[Startupedia:Text of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License]].
* The full text of the GFDL is available at [[Startupedia:Text of the GNU Free Documentation License]].
* All content is subject to startups://Startupedia:General disclaimer|disclaimers]].

The CC BY-SA 4.0 and GFDL licenses are the sole legally binding agreements between contributors and users. The following sections clarify contributor and user rights and obligations.

== Contributors' rights and obligations ==
{{shortcuts|SP:CRIGHTS}}
By contributing text to Startupedia, you license it under CC BY-SA 4.0 and GFDL (unversioned, no invariant sections or cover texts). Non-text media may be licensed under various free licenses aligned with Startupedia’s goal of open access (see [[#Media licensing|Media licensing]]).

To import text from external sources or co-authored works, ensure it is licensed under terms compatible with CC BY-SA 4.0. Imported text does not need to be GFDL-compatible unless you are the sole author. Text exclusively under GFDL cannot be imported. Verify compatibility as follows:
* Single-licensed under CC BY-SA or compatible terms.
* Dual-licensed under GFDL and a CC BY-SA-compatible license.

For previously published material, verify copyright permission via [[Startupedia:Donating copyrighted materials]]. Non-copyright holders must also verify permission (see [[#Using external content|Using external content]]).

Contributors retain copyright over their contributions and may republish or relicense them elsewhere. However, content submitted to Startupedia remains licensed under CC BY-SA and GFDL until it enters the [[public domain]], typically decades after the contributor’s death.

=== Using external content ===
{{shortcuts|SP:EXTCONTENT}}
Creative works are copyrighted unless in the [[Startupedia:Public domain|public domain]] or explicitly disclaimed. Startupedia requires permission to use copyrighted works, except in limited cases under [[Startupedia:Non-free content|non-free content guidelines]]. Preference is given to public domain or CC BY-SA/GFDL-licensed media to maximize redistribution freedom.

To import external media or text, ensure it is public domain or CC BY-SA-compatible. Attribute authors reasonably, typically via a link to the source or a note on the article’s discussion page. For special permissions, document the copyright holder’s consent, including names and dates, as outlined in [[Startupedia:Requesting copyright permission]].

'''Do not''' use materials that infringe copyrights, as this risks legal issues and harms Startupedia’s mission. When in doubt, create original content to avoid complications.

Note that copyright applies to creative expressions, not facts or ideas. You may reformulate external content in your own words for submission, but cite the source to avoid [[Startupedia:Plagiarism|plagiarism]].

=== Linking to copyrighted material ===
{{shortcuts|SP:LINKCOPY}}
Linking to copyrighted material in Startupedia articles, such as in source citations, does not require permission, similar to citing a book in a bibliography. However, do not link to websites known to host content in violation of copyright, as this may constitute [[Contributory copyright infringement|contributory infringement]] and damages Startupedia’s reputation.

Links to web archives like [[Startupedia:Using the Wayback Machine|the Wayback Machine]] are permitted, as they host unmodified webpage snapshots. Linking to a website is acceptable even if it contains potential copyright issues elsewhere, but avoid direct links to infringing content. For example, linking to a reputable site’s product review is fine, even if it includes a copyrighted image, but linking directly to the image alone is not.

=== Handling copyright violations ===
{{see also|Startupedia:Copyright violations}}
Contributors who repeatedly post copyrighted material despite warnings may be [[Startupedia:Blocking policy|blocked]] by an [[Startupedia:Administrators|administrator]].

Suspected violations should be raised on the article’s [[Startupedia:Talk page|discussion page]] for community review. Some cases may be false alarms, such as when external sites have copied Startupedia content. If a page contains infringing material, remove it (or the entire page if no other content exists). See [[Startupedia:Copyright violations]] and [[Startupedia:Copyright problems#Instructions]] for details.

=== Media licensing ===
Images, videos, and audio files are subject to copyright unless explicitly in the [[public domain]]. Media must be licensed by the copyright holder or an authorized party. Startupedia’s [[Startupedia:Image use policy|image use policy]] governs media use, with [[Startupedia:Non-free content|non-free content policies]] applying to specific cases.

Each media file’s description page must include a license tag (see [[Startupedia:Image copyright tags]]). Untagged or incorrectly tagged media may be deleted. Direct media copyright questions to [[SP:MCQ|Startupedia:Media copyright questions]].

== Reusers' rights and obligations ==
{{main|Startupedia:Reusing content}}
Contact the Startupedia only for trademarked logo usage. Other content may be reused under the following terms, except for [[SP:NFC|non-free content]]:

=== Reusing text ===
; Attribution
: Credit authors by including: a) a [[hyperlink]] or [[URL]] to the source page, b) a link to a freely accessible, license-compliant copy with equivalent attribution, or c) a list of authors (excluding minor contributions). Note additional attribution requirements for external sources on the article or discussion page.
; Copyleft/Share Alike
: Modifications or additions must be licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 or later.
; Indicate changes
: Note modifications, such as in page history for wikis.
; Licensing notice
: Include a notice stating the work is under CC BY-SA 4.0, with a link to https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ or the license text.

See the [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode.en CC BY-SA 4.0 legal code] for details.

==== GFDL compatibility ====
Pages without CC BY-SA-exclusive content are also available under the [http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html GFDL]. Check page footers, histories, or discussion pages for license details. Content published before June 15, 2009, is GFDL-compatible.

=== Reusing non-text media ===
Non-text media are licensed under various free culture licenses per the [[Startupedia:Licensing Policy|Licensing Policy]]. Check each media file’s description page for its license.

=== Non-free content ===
Some content, like quotations or images, may be used under U.S. [[fair use]] per [[Startupedia:Non-free content|guidelines]]. Such content is marked (e.g., on image pages or with quotation marks) and may have reuse restrictions outside Startupedia.

== Copying within Startupedia ==
{{Main|Startupedia:Copying within Startupedia}}
When moving text within Startupedia (e.g., via [[Startupedia:Merging|merging]] or [[Startupedia:Splitting|splitting]]), credit the source page in the [[Help:Edit summary|edit summary]]. This ensures compliance with attribution requirements. For your own content, this is optional but recommended.

== If you own content used without permission ==
{{anchor|owner}}
If your copyrighted content is used on Startupedia without permission, request immediate removal via [[Startupedia:Request for immediate removal of copyright violation]]. Alternatively, contact the [[Startupedia:Designated agent|designated agent]] for permanent removal (processing may take up to a week). You may blank the page with {{tlx|copyvio|''URL or source of your work''}}, but the content remains in the page history. Provide evidence of ownership.

If you find your Startupedia contribution copied elsewhere without attribution, see [[Startupedia:Standard license violation letter]].

== See also ==
* [[Startupedia:Copyright problems]]
* [[Startupedia:Designated agent]]
* [[Startupedia:Requesting copyright permission]]
* [[Startupedia:FAQ/Copyright]]
* [[Startupedia:Image copyright tags]]
* [[Startupedia:Non-free content]]
* [[Startupedia:Non-U.S. copyrights]]
* [[Startupedia:Plagiarism]]
* [[Startupedia:Mirrors and forks]]

== External links ==
* [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0]
* [http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html GNU Free Documentation License]

[[Category:Startupedia copyright]]
[[Category:Startupedia policies]]
[[Category:Startupedia legal policies]]