Help:Files

This page explains how files such as images, pdf's, and other documents to MEpedia for use in articles. All files must be uploaded with the Special:Upload page before they can be used in an article. When a file is uploaded to MEpedia, it will get its own page with a "File:" prefix. (For example, File:MEupregulatedgenes.png.)

How to upload a file

Follow the instructions on the Special:Upload page. All files on MEpedia must have information that states the file's:

• Author/creator: This may be a person, organization, or website. If you created the file yourself, you can use your MEpedia login.
• Original source: This is the original internet address where the file came from. If you created the file yourself for MEpedia, just use "www.me-pedia.org".
• Copyright license: This is the original license that the author/creator of the file chose for the file.
  • The original source of the file should state the license, although you sometimes have to search through their website to find the licensing information.
  • If the file is a US government document, the license is "Public domain - US government".
  • If the author/creator has granted permission to MEpedia to use their file, this permission must be described.
  • Sometimes you can use a file without permission, such as for scholarship/research. This is called a "fair-use" exception.
  • If you created the file yourself, then you can choose the license you want. (See "How to choose a license for your own work" below.)

How to add author or source information to an uploaded file

If the file is already uploaded, then:

• Edit its "File:" page, and specify the author or source under the "Summary" heading.

How to add a category to an uploaded file

If the file is already uploaded, then:

• Edit its "File:" page, and add categories as you normally would.

How to add a copyright license to an uploaded file

If the file is already uploaded, then:

• First find the template name that corresponds to the correct license:
  • Go to Special:Upload.
  • Find the correct license in the dropdown list and hover the cursor over it.
  • While hovering over it, you will see the correct template name pop up, enclosed in double braces.
• If you are using the Visual Editor:
  • Edit the file's page, and find the section entitled "Licensing".
  • Under the "Licensing" section, insert the template corresponding to the correct license, using "Insert" in the toolbar. See Help:Templates for more information. (Be sure to type the template name without the double braces.)
• If you are using the Source Editor:
  • Edit the file's page, and find the section entitled "Licensing".
  • Under the "Licensing" section, type the template name, enclosed in double braces. See Help:Templates for more information.
• For an example of a file page with license information, see: File:MEupregulatedgenes.png.
• If you have trouble adding license information to a file, you can ask for help at the MEpedia:Help desk.

How to choose a license for your own work

If the file is a photo you took, or a poster or graphic that you made from scratch, then you get to choose which license you want:

• If you want the standard MEpedia license that lets anyone copy and edit the file, as long as they give you credit, use the "Creative Commons ShareAlike 3.0" license. The corresponding template is named CC-by-sa-3.0.
• If you want the least restrictive license, use the "Creative Commons Zero (public domain)" license. This lets anyone copy and edit the image without giving you credit or linking back to the original. The corresponding template is named CC-zero.
• If you want a more restrictive license, use the "Creative Commons No-Derivs 4.0" license. This lets anyone copy the file if they give you credit, link back to the original, and do not alter the file in any way. (This is called "no derivatives" and is rarely used.) The corresponding template is named CC-by-nd-4.0.
• Note that photos you take of other people may not be acceptable for uploading to MEpedia, depending upon whether the other people are identifiable, whether they have given consent, and where the photo was taken. Use good judgment. For more information, see more information from Wikimedia Commons.

See also

• Help:Images
• Add a copyright license to an existing image
• Copyright policy