View source for Commons:Threshold of originality

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{{shortcut|COM:TO|COM:TOO|COM:THRESHOLD}}
{{Copyright navbox|file=Amtrak logo.svg|caption=<translate><!--T:1--> The logo of [[w:Amtrak|Amtrak]] is not considered a "work of authorship" because it only consists of simple text and shapes, so it is not an object of copyright in respect to US law. However, this logo is still protected by {{pg|Commons:trademarks|trademark laws}}.</translate>|template=TOO region index}}
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The '''threshold of originality''' is a concept in copyright law that is used to assess whether or not a particular work, or a portion of it, can be copyrighted. It is used to distinguish works that are sufficiently original to warrant copyright protection from those that are not. In this context, "originality" refers to ''"coming from someone as the originator/author"'' (insofar as it somehow reflects the author's personality), rather than ''"never having occurred or existed before"'' (which would amount to the protection of something new, as in patent protection).

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As a rule, copyright applies to a work as a whole. If a work contains a portion that is complex enough to receive copyright protection, then the whole work is considered to be copyrighted. One cannot upload said work to Commons by applying ''{{pg|Commons:De minimis|de minimis}}'' to the non-trivial portion.

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The remainder of this page discusses images judged ineligible for copyright protection by a court or similar authority. It is usually impossible to determine whether a specific image is within the threshold of originality without a judicial decision. However, per {{pg|Commons:Project scope/Precautionary principle|precautionary principle}}, the image should be deleted if there is significant doubt that the image is not copyrighted.

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For further information, see {{Wp-Threshold of originality|Threshold of originality}} on Wikipedia.
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[[File:Threshold of originality variations.png|thumb|<translate><!--T:39--> A descriptive infographic showing how the "Threshold of originality" varies by region.</translate>]]

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==Map== <!--T:37--> 
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:''[<translate><!--T:40--> This illustration is not explained enough. You may edit the page to make it clearer.</translate>]''
<div class="center">{{wide image|Threshold of originality world map.svg|900px}}</div>

{{TOO Country|United States|level=2}}
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== Civil law countries == <!--T:7-->

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Civil law countries usually require a relatively high minimum level of intellectual creativity which will exclude typical signatures and simple logos from copyright protection. However, this does not apply to all such countries. For example, Austria and China are both known to have a relatively low threshold of originality, while a few simple logos from the Philippines gained copyright registrations from the country's Intellectual Property Office.

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''If you are aware of specific case law or legal advice on this issue in any country, please add a "Threshold of originality" section to the appropriate {{pg|Commons:Copyright rules by territory}} country subpage, and add a link to it with an entry below.''
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{{TOO Country|Afghanistan}}
{{TOO Country|Argentina}}
{{TOO Country|Austria}}
{{TOO Country|Brazil}}
{{TOO Country|Czech Republic}}
{{TOO Country|Chile}}
{{TOO Country|China}}
{{TOO Country|Denmark}}
{{TOO Country|Ecuador}}
{{TOO Country|Finland}}
{{TOO Country|France}}
{{TOO Country|Germany}}
{{TOO Country|Greece}}
{{TOO Country|Hungary}}
{{TOO Country|Indonesia}}
{{TOO Country|Iran}}
{{TOO Country|Italy}}
{{TOO Country|Japan}}
{{TOO Country|Libya}}
{{TOO Country|Luxembourg}}
{{TOO Country|Mexico}}
{{TOO Country|Netherlands}}
{{TOO Country|Norway}}
{{TOO Country|Peru}}
{{TOO Country|Philippines}}
{{TOO Country|Poland}}
{{TOO Country|Portugal}}
{{TOO Country|Russia}}
{{TOO Country|Senegal}}
{{TOO Country|Slovenia}}
{{TOO Country|South Korea}}
{{TOO Country|Spain}}
{{TOO Country|Sweden}}
{{TOO Country|Switzerland}}
{{TOO Country|Taiwan}}
{{TOO Country|Turkey}}
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== Common law countries == <!--T:10-->

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{{see also|Commons:When to use the PD-signature tag#Common law countries||#Lower threshold in United Kingdom etc.}}
Common law countries typically use a "skill and labour" test to determine the minimum level of originality capable of attracting copyright protection. The required level is extremely low in some countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom. However, Canada and India are major two exceptions. Without some research into individual laws, it cannot be assumed that a text logo from a Common law country is necessarily allowed on Commons.  If there is real doubt about the position a local court would take, then the image must be deleted under the {{pg|Commons:Project scope/Precautionary principle|precautionary principle}}. 

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If the logo is extremely simple (e.g. in a standard font), it will not be eligible for copyright even in Common law countries.

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If you are aware of specific case law or legal advice on this issue in any country, please add a "Threshold of originality" section to the appropriate Commons:Copyright rules by territory country subpage, and add a link to it with an entry below.
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{{TOO Country|Australia}}
{{TOO Country|Canada}}
{{TOO Country|Hong Kong}}
{{TOO Country|India}}
{{TOO Country|Ireland}}
{{TOO Country|Israel}}
{{TOO Country|Malaysia}}
{{TOO Country|Nigeria}}
{{TOO Country|New Zealand}}
{{TOO Country|Singapore}}
{{TOO Country|United Kingdom}}
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==Logos and flags== <!--T:14-->

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<gallery caption="The logos in these images may *not* be eligible for copyright protection">
File:Symbolbild Glasentfernung Waggon Deutsche Bahn.JPG|claimed not to reach the threshold
File:Jungstahlhelm.jpg|claimed not to reach the threshold
File:WDW_New_Fantasyland_logo.jpg|[[Commons:Deletion requests/File:WDW New Fantasyland logo.jpg|DR]]
File:Black_Ford_Fiesta_X100_-_008.jpg|[[Commons:Deletion requests/File:Black Ford Fiesta X100 - 008.jpg|DR]]
File:Dow Wolff Cellulosics (DOW).svg|([[Commons:Deletion requests/File:Dow Wolff Cellulosics (DOW).svg|DR]])
File:Sonic-Generations-transparent-bg.png|([[Commons:Deletion requests/File:Sonic-Generations-transparent-bg.png|DR]]) "PD text logo -- no question"
File:Abbywinters logo.jpg|([[Commons:Deletion requests/File:Abbywinters logo.jpg|Australian company logo DR]]) "PD-textlogo"
|([[Commons:Deletion requests/|Flag DR]]) "image was made in Israel, where the flag cannot have a copyright"
File:Accessible Media Inc.png|([[Commons:Deletion requests/File:Accessible Media Inc.png|Canada company logo DR]]) "PD-textlogo"
File:Walmart Canada Logo.svg|([[Commons:Deletion requests/File:Walmart Canada Logo.svg|DR]])
File:24 title.jpg|([[Commons:Deletion requests/File:24 title.jpg|DR]])
File:Comic Party logo.png|([[Commons:Deletion requests/File:Comic Party logo.png|DR]])
File:Google Chrome 2011 Logo.svg|([[Commons:Deletion requests/File:Google Chrome 2011 Logo.svg (2nd nomination)|DR]])
File:Logo of the LG Corporation (1995-2008).svg|([[Commons:Deletion requests/File:LG Logo.svg|South Korean company logo DR]])
</gallery>

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* [[:File:Hercules 1998 Intertitle.png]] originally "background isn't elaborate or eligible for any type of copyright" ([[Commons:Deletion requests/File:Hercules 1998 Intertitle.png|decided here in 2010]]), deleted in 2012 as "shows artistry beyond the TOO".

== Architecture == <!--T:17-->

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Images which have been kept because of lack of originality or {{pg|Commons:De minimis|''de minimis''}}:
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File:Larouvieremarseille.jpg
File:CSG Ariane 4 Launch Site.JPG
File:CSG - BIF.JPG
File:Paris-Parc-des-Princes.jpg
File:Gare du Stade-de-France-St-Denis CRW 0777.jpg
File:Ronchamp Notre dame du Haut 1954.jpg
File:Stade-Gerland-RWC2007.JPG
File:CJBd080211.jpg
File:Termoelektrarna Trbovlje in Sava IMG 2581.jpg
File:ГРЭС2 Экибастуз.JPG
</gallery><translate>

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Note that some of these decisions were controversial.

== Photographs == <!--T:20-->

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Photographs which have been deemed ineligible for copyright protection:
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<gallery>
File:PinkStar.jpg|<translate><!--T:41--> ([[<tvar name="1">Commons:Deletion requests/File:PinkStar.jpg</tvar>|DR]]) Photograph of a three-dimensional object (drawer pull) with bevels and cast shadows</translate>
</gallery>

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== Maps == <!--T:34-->

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Maps which have been deemed ineligible for copyright protection: 
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[[File:Appraisers.com - Map of the United States - May 2002.gif|thumb|left|<translate><!--T:42--> [[s:Darden v. Peters|Darden v. Peters]].</translate>]]
<translate><!--T:43--> [[s:Darden v. Peters|Darden v. Peters]]: the addition of "font and color selection; visual effects such as relief, shadowing, and shading; labeling; call-outs" and anti-aliasing to a preexisting map is below the threshold of originality</translate>
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<translate><!--T:44--> Use: '''{{tl|PD-map}}.''' See the section farther down on partial copying or cropping of uncopyrightable elements from copyrighted works.</translate>
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See also: 
*'''[[Commons:Map resources]]''' and its sections on public domain maps on the web. 
*'''[<tvar name="1">https://web.archive.org/web/20120801211652/https://open.umich.edu/wiki/Casebook#Maps</tvar> Open.Michigan Wiki. Casebook archive on "whether or not the content object is protected by US Copyright law."].''' Opening in the maps section. Data-driven maps in particular are in the public domain. The map represents data. All choices made in the creation of the map being based upon utilitarian and informational considerations. See also: [[Commons talk:Threshold of originality/Archive 2#Casebook. More locations]]. See this University of Michigan Casebook archive '''[<tvar name="2">http://webservices.itcs.umich.edu/mediawiki/openmichigan/index.php/Casebook</tvar> here].''' It loads much faster than the Casebook at archive.org.
*'''[<tvar name="3">http://www.publicdomainsherpa.com/public-domain-maps.html</tvar> Public domain maps].''' From: [<tvar name="4">http://www.publicdomainsherpa.com/about.html</tvar> Public Domain Sherpa]. A copyright and trademark lawyer. 
*'''[[:Category:PD map]]'''

== Charts == <!--T:31-->

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Charts which have been deemed ineligible for copyright protection. Use: '''{{tl|PD-chart}}.''' See the section farther down on partial copying or cropping of uncopyrightable elements from copyrighted works. See also: 
*'''[[Commons:Chart and graph resources]]''' and its section on public domain charts on the web. 
*'''[<tvar name="1">https://web.archive.org/web/20120801211652/https://open.umich.edu/wiki/Casebook#Charts</tvar> Open.Michigan Wiki. Casebook archive on "whether or not the content object is protected by US Copyright law."].''' Opening in the charts section. See also: [[Commons talk:Threshold of originality/Archive 2#Casebook. More locations]]. See this University of Michigan Casebook archive '''[<tvar name="2">http://webservices.itcs.umich.edu/mediawiki/openmichigan/index.php/Casebook</tvar> here].''' It loads much faster than the Casebook at archive.org.
*'''[[:Category:PD chart]]'''
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<gallery>

File:1974-2018. Women running for US House and Senate. And results.gif|<translate><!--T:33--> See '''[[<tvar name="1">Commons talk:Threshold of originality/Archive 1#Does this chart pass the threshold of originality?</tvar>|discussion]].'''</translate>
File:OECD incarceration rates by country.gif|<translate><!--T:45--> See the info in the author section of the '''[[<tvar name="2">:File:OECD incarceration rates by country.gif#Summary</tvar>|file description]].'''</translate>
File:UNODC definition of homicide.png|<translate><!--T:46--> See the '''[[<tvar name="3">Commons:Deletion requests/File:UNODC definition of homicide.png</tvar>|deletion discussion]],''' and '''[[<tvar name="4">User_talk:Elcobbola/Archive_11#Re:_Commons:Deletion_requests/File:UNODC_definition_of_homicide.png</tvar>|this discussion]].'''</translate>
File:Federal Funds Rate and interest rates.png|<translate><!--T:48--> See the '''[[<tvar name="5">Commons:Deletion requests/File:Federal Funds Rate and interest rates.png</tvar>|deletion discussion]].'''</translate>
File:Female incarceration rates by country and US state.gif|<translate><!--T:47--> See the '''[[Commons:Deletion requests/File:Female incarceration rates by country and US state.gif|deletion discussion]].'''</translate>
</gallery>
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== Partial copying or cropping of copyrighted works == <!--T:22-->

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When a file copies only part of a copyrighted work, that file's copyright status is determined only by what it has copied. If it only copied uncopyrightable elements, then the file is also uncopyrightable. In other words, we judge the copyright status of a file only by what the file itself contains, not by the status of other content the original source contained that was not copied by the file.

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{|class=wikitable
|-
|{{OK}} ||[[File:Burr by Gore Vidal - first edition cover.jpg|left|100px]] ||This image of the front cover of a novel is public domain in the USA because it only copies uncopyrightable text, not copyrightable contents of the book itself or possibly-copyrightable contents of the back cover. ([[Commons:Deletion requests/File:Burr by Gore Vidal - first edition cover.jpg|DR]]) It would probably not be PD in UK because of the UK's publisher's 25 year copyright on typography, except for the fact that this typographical arrangement was published over 25 years ago.
|}

== Lower threshold in United Kingdom etc. == <!--T:25-->

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* [[:File:BBC.svg]] and many associated variants for BBC divisions were kept, because they ''only'' contain Gill Sans, which is an old, standard font.<br />See [[Commons:Deletion requests/File:BBC.svg]].
* [[:File:Clerical Medical.png]] ([[:en:File:Clerical Medical logo.svg|uploaded as PD-ineligible-USonly on en.wikipedia.org]])<br />See [[Commons:Deletion requests/File:Clerical Medical.png]] (with reasoning of the EDGE logo).

== See also == <!--T:27-->

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* {{tl|Licensed-TOO}} template for formatting and internationalization of licenses of TOO images
* {{pg|Commons:Image casebook}}
* [[:Category:Threshold of originality related deletion requests]]
* {{pg|Commons:When to use the PD-scan tag}} - on the level of originality needed for a scan of a work to generate a copyright independent of the work
* {{pg|Commons:When to use the PD-Art tag}} - on the level of originality needed for a photo of a work to generate a copyright independent of the work
* [[meta:Wikilegal/Copyright threshold of originality for logos]]
*[[:Category: PD-ineligible license tags]]
*[[:Category: PD ineligible]]
*[[Commons:Chart and graph resources]]. Including other public domain resources. 
*[[Commons:Map resources]]. Including other public domain resources.

== References == <!--T:29-->
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{{CRTtransfoot}}
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For more complete, working references see {{pg|Commons:Copyright rules by territory}} and the individual countries and territories: 
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{{CRT list2}}
{{Commons policies and guidelines}}
[[Category:Copyright rules by territory transclusion lists{{#translation:}}]]
[[Category:Threshold of originality]]