User:ESkog/ImageSurvey
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On July 7, 2006, I took a spin through the Image namespace using Special:Random/Image. Using a random sample of 100 images, I attempted to compile some data about the prevalence of fair-use images on Wikipedia, and how often those images are compliant with our two simple rules:
- Provide a fair-use rationale for each inclusion
- Provide the source for each image
Contents |
[edit] Summary of fair-use findings
- 41 of the 100 images were tagged with some sort of fair use license.
- Of the 41 fair use images, only 3 (7%) provided any attempt at a rationale.
- Of the 41 fair use images, 16 (39%) provided the source for their image, including all three who provided a rationale.
Therefore, only 7% of fair use images (within some reasonable margin of error) currently follow the law with respect to fair use.
[edit] Other interesting findings
- 2 images, Image:Pictures of al of us 420.jpg and Image:BLIT1463.jpg, had no license information whatsoever (one of these was already being put through the deletion process)
- 27 images were released under the GFDL, and another 19 were released to the public domain. 10 others were tagged {{CopyrightedFreeUse}}, {{CopyrightedFreeUseProvidedThat}}, or {{NoRightsReserved}}.
- The image not accounted for above, Image:Johnqadamsarms.png, was tagged {{coat of arms}}, but is probably being used illegally.
- In all, I could clearly see 5 images which were being used illegally. In addition to those cited above, Image:Arenas Club de Getxo.gif and Image:Mrs.JoAnn Smith.jpg could probably use some attention.
- 20 images in all were not used in any articles; one of these was linked in User: space, and the other 19 were not linked anywhere in Wikipedia.
- 3 fair-use images were not used in any articles, which can lead to a speedy deletion:
- Image:Forever2disc.jpg (already undergoing deletion process)
- Image:RahilBabooramGauraVani.jpg (already undergoing deletion process)
- Image:FH25.jpg
[edit] Date uploaded
- 14 of the images were uploaded prior to 2005; 32 others were uploaded in 2005.
- 16 images were uploaded in the month of June 2006 alone, matching the significant growth we've seen elsewhere (and possibly including some untrimmed new images)
[edit] More?
I'd be curious if other people would attempt this experiment to increase the sample size; it took me a little less than an hour to compile all of the information.
[edit] Source info
The raw data I compiled can be found here: Image:ImageSurvey.xls
