User:Masem/NFCCasebook

The use of non-free media within articles must meet all ten of the non-free content criteria to be used within articles. Individual use of non-free content is described at the guideline non-free content.

Since the implementation of the non-free content policy, the use of non-free within a given type of article has stablized around generally acceptable cases. The following list describes common article types and the generally allowed use and disallowed use of non-free media within those articles. Note that each article and each use of non-free within that article should still be reviewed, and each piece of NFC must meet WP:NFCC to be used; this list does not automatically validate or invalidate the use of non-free media as listed. This list is also not fully inclusive of all known article types, only those that commonly use non-free content; for articles that do not fall into any of the types given here, editors should review more specific guidance on WP:NFC.

Biographies

Articles on living persons

Per WP:NFCC#1, we nearly never allow for a non-free image of a living person to be used, on the principle that a free replacement is possible. Some exceptions are made:

• For persons that are incarcerated in prison, that are on the run or have sought asylum from authorities, or those that have clearly established themselves as recluse and unwilling to go out into public, we do allow a non-free image to be used to identify these persons, given that access to that person by a member of the public while in public is impossible.
• For persons who's visual appearance earlier in life (performers, entertainers, sports figures) is a notable facet, and where their present visual appearance is far different from their earlier one, a non-free image of their earlier self is reasonable to include.

Arts and Entertainment

Visual Art

Articles specifically on the piece of art may use a non-free image of the art for identification.

Articles on artists may use a reasonable minimal selection of non-free art to exemplify the artist's work. Selected works should be those that are those critically discussed in a visual manner, or barring that, those that are identified as examples of the artist's work by others.

Articles on schools or history of art can use a reasonable minimum selection of non-free art that has been identified as examples of the school or period.

For three-dimensional works of art that are still copyrighted, the photograph used should be one that has been offered under a free license. Photographs of copyrighted three-dimensional artwork remain derivative works, but using a free license photo avoids the issue of the secondary copyright on the photo itself.

Albums and Singles

Articles on albums or singles may include one non-free cover image in the article's lead or infobox. An alternative art cover may be used if it visually is significantly different from the included cover and representing a significant release in a different region.

An audio sample from a single can be included if there is critical discussion about the musical work. For an album, song samples for non-notable singles may also be includes if also the subject the critical discussion; song samples of singles of the album that have their own article should be left to these singles. Song samples that are used in conjunction of describing the music album as a whole may be used in limited numbers (typically no more than 3-4) on album articles.

For singles with videos, screenshots are rarely included unless the video itself is discussed in a critical manner.

Movies and films

One non-free poster or title card for the film is reasonable to include to identify the film as in an infobox.

If a film soundtrack is included on the movie article, and the cover of the soundtrack is not significantly different from the film's poster, then the soundtrack image should not be used (to avoid duplication under NFCC#3a).

Television episodes

In most cases, television episodes do not need a non-free screencap for identification. A screencap should only be used to illustrate a scene that is the subject of critical commentary, or to illustrate a key point of the episode that would otherwise difficult to explain in text. Just showing talking heads, a unique prop, or other facet without additional context is generally not reason to include a screenshot.

In rare cases - such as recent Doctor Who episodes or specific episodes of The Simpsons, a poster or title card has been created specifically for the episode; in these cases, that image may be used for identification for the episode itself as official promotional material in the same manner as a film poster.

Books

The cover of a published book (typically, from the country of first publication and from its first edition) can be used for identification in the lead of the article on the book.

Magazines and newspapers

The current front page or cover of a magazine or newspaper may be used in the infobox of articles on these periodicals to show the work's layout. Efforts should be made to chose cover images that respect or minimize the amount of copyrighted works taken from other sources, where they are being used in de minimus (not the focus of the image).

Past covers may only be used if the layout of these are the subject of critical discussion.

Video games

A cover of a video game may be used for identification of the video game. A single screenshot may be used in conjunction with sourced discussion of the gameplay.

Currency articles

In discussing the currency of a nation

In discussing a specific type of currency