Compliance with the FDL

Note: Documents can span several Pages, and thus links to required parts are used. This site does not currently modify any FDL documents, but depending on the broad definition of what constitutes a modification, it seemed safer to comply with this section as well.

Section 1:

PASS! Nothing here to really 'pass', just defines terms (poorly) for the license. Pages on this site are classified as 'Transparent'. Title page on Wikipedia includes an advertisement for themselves on the entry pages, but not in the wikicode itself, nor in the 'transparent' XML feeds. Thus, it has been removed, as it does not appear to be any more of the document than the CSS file does. Removal of this text is covered under section 4, so compliant in either case.

Section 2: Verbatim Copying

PASS! No 'technical measures' obstruct the user from copying the content protected under the FDL. Copyright notices, license, and license notices are reproduced in all copies, and no further conditions have been added to the license.

Section 3:Copying in Quantity

PASS! First section only applies to "Cover Texts", and does not apply. Second section applies to Opaque copies, which these are not, so does not apply. The wikipedia people like to use this as an excuse to get a backlink back to their site, but it is not required for verbatim copies. Anyway, it does not matter, it is a requirement of 4.J and has been met.

Section 4: Modifications

  • Meet sections 2 & 3: PASS! See above
  • A - Distinct Title: PASS! - HTML page title changed away from original title. A pretty rediculous requirement when in the scope of the wikipedia.
  • B - Title Page to contain authors: PASS! Title Page contains link to all contributors. Wikipedia themselves do not store previous contributors in their own title page, a link to history suffices, and satisfies requirement I as well.
  • C - Title Page must contain Publisher: PASS! Site Publisher details available at top of page, with contact information at the bottom of the pages in case there are questions.
  • D - Preserve Copyright notices in document: PASS! "The Wikimedia Foundation does not own copyright on Wikipedia article texts and illustrations." All copyrights are preserved.
  • E - Add copyright notice for your own modifications: PASS!
  • F - Include license notice in given form: PASS! Document footer contains link to verbage.
  • G - Preserve lists of Invariant Sections and Cover Texts: PASS! Wikipedia is licensed "no Invariant Sections, with no Front-Cover Texts, and with no Back-Cover Texts."
  • H - Include unaltered FDL: PASS! here
  • I - Preserve 'History' & add entry: PASS! Per wikipedia's policy, linking to Transparent Copy's History page for Document is sufficient.
  • J - Preserve URL of Transparent Copy: PASS! Original article linked on document footer
  • K - Preserve 'Acknoledgements' and 'Dedications': PASS!
  • L - Delete section 'Endorsements': PASS!
  • M - Do not rename section to 'Endorsements': PASS!
  • O - Preserve Warranties: PASS! Warranty linked on document footer

Section 5: Combining Documents

PASS! Not performed by this site, but compliant.

Section 6: Collections of Documents

PASS! Permitted to include just single copy of license, which has been utilized (but still linked to on all pages of collection).

Section 7: Aggregation with independent works

PASS! This site is considered an aggregate of both FDL works as well as private works (such as this current document). Per the FDL, the FDL does not virally infect other works in an aggregate. This current page here is hereby released into the public domain. Feel free to reuse it in whatever method you wish. The FDL just isn't a good license for documentation as it does not give the user enough freedom. It is much more restrictive than the GPL. It does not suit the Wikipedia, and they themselves violate the license, as it is nearly impossible to not (They themselves admit to this).

Section 8: Translation

PASS! Not (currently) performed by this site, but compliant.

Sections 9,10

PASS! Does not really pertain to compliance.

Contact me with questions or concerns

I have done everything in my power to fully comply with the over burdensome FDL. As stated above, the wikipedia foundation appears to have issues keeping their own site compliant, so it is entirely possible that there might be issues on this page. If you are a copyright holder for the FDL licensed content posted on these pages, and feel there has been a violation or oversight, do not hesitate to contact me at the following email address: short_ship at yahoo.com