Forum:CC BY-SA 4.0

Index → The Panopticon → CC BY-SA 4.0

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Opening post

Are you ready for the trip of a lifetime?

Hey folks! Now that we've settled into our new home, I think it's time to bring up what's been the top priority in my discussion agenda. I'd like to formally propose we upgrade our license from CC BY-SA 3.0 (Unported) to CC BY-SA 4.0. Specifically, the version Wikipedia uses, which adds a clause to waive database rights (which only apply in certain jurisdictions).

For anyone who needs catching up, CC BY-SA is a Share Alike license, which allows other online communities (or private persons) which use that same license — or a more recent version — to use that material, so long as sufficient attribution is given.

What this means for us

CC BY-SA 3.0 is forward compatible with 4.0, but CC BY-SA 4.0 is not backward compatible. This means we are free to upgrade our license, and to continue to adapt/import work from wikis with the 3.0 license (with correct attribution!)...

But wikis still operating on CC BY-SA 3.0 (such as Fandom wikis), will not be able to copy work from us anymore until or unless they upgrade their license as well.

"What? You've never upgraded your license before?"

Apart from some broad accessibility benefits in how the newer license is written more clearly (and translated), there's a couple things we need to explain:

1. The bar for attribution is a little higher. In cases where the full page history is not present (admins can achieve this by importing page histories), you now need to indicate what you've modified from the original material when using an external CC-BY-SA resource.
   • Whenever possible (read: pretty much always), a URL leading to the relevant page history is required. (This contains all the contributors' names, their modifications... and that website's link to their own public license, like we've got in the footer.)
2. There is increased flexibility, legally, in cases where attribution was fumbled on accident by users on our wiki. In the case of insufficient attribution, we will now have 30 days to correct the issue.

By upgrading to 4.0 means joining Wikipedia in moving forward, not looking back. Waiving database rights means access to use material in Tardis is fair and equal, regardless of governmental jurisdiction. And we'll now be taking that extra step in giving full attribution, like we've always been cautious about, and expecting the same from other communities.

Explaining the upgrade

As mentioned, since our current license is forward compatible, it's perfectly compliant to upgrade to 4.0. Contributions from before the change is officially made will still be licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, but going forward, all new edits will fall under our new license.

We're going to have to be strict about enforcing T:DON'T COPY, of course (and it's recommended everyone actually reads the text of the CC BY-SA 4.0 license, which I've only summarised it). Some lenience can also be expected as everyone adjusts to the updated requirements (and for new users, of course), but it's important to correct afterwards once it's pointed out.

Once we give the word to our sysadmins to update the license in the software, and update our disclaimers and copyright page, these new rules and protections will be in effect.

Please ask all your questions below, and an admin (likely Bongo) will get back to you.

Please let us know what you think. This is a really simple step, but a big one nonetheless. These are exciting times to be a Tardis Wiki editor.
× SOTO (☎/✍/↯) 09:55, 2 April 2024 (UTC)