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Wikipedia:Copyright problems/Clerks

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The copyright clerks are editors who assist in maintaining the copyright boards, perform housekeeping tasks, and assessing requests. They work at both copyright problems and Contributor copyright investigations. They are chosen by administrators and current copyright clerks. Please request to become a clerk at Wikipedia talk:Copyright problems/Clerks.

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At copyright problems, they perform the following tasks:

List of clerks

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The following is the list of all copyright clerks, currently active or inactive; they are listed here for ease of contact and coordination.

Active clerks

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  1. Sennecaster (talk · contribs · email)
  2. Isochrone (talk · contribs · email)
  3. The4lines (talk · contribs · email)
  4. Iazyges (talk · contribs · email)
  5. Dudhhr (talk · contribs · email) (trainee)

Inactive clerks

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  1. Thine Antique Pen (talk · contribs · email)
  2. DannyS712 (talk · contribs · email)
  3. Crow (talk · contribs · email)
  4. Callitropsis (talk · contribs · email)

Clerks at large

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Copyright clerks have the following qualities:

  • They are users who are in good standing within the community, and are experienced with Wikipedia's copyright cleanup processes.
  • They have a good working knowledge of Wikipedia policy, especially in the area of copyright.
  • They have a good history of being civil, especially during disagreement.
  • They are trusted by the administrators who volunteer in copyright cleanup in their knowledge and judgment, and the administrators should not feel that they must continually check over their work.

Clerks do not have any special authority over the general community; if a handling is in dispute, review by uninvolved administrators may be requested. Clerks are expected to remain civil in communicating with other users about issues. They are not expected to be experts in copyright law and should seek feedback when encountering copyright situations outside of their experience.

Trainee clerks

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A good first step in obtaining experience to become a clerk is volunteering at CopyPatrol. The tasks are slightly different, however CopyPatrol allows for hands-on checking for copyright violations in a special interface. Furthermore, having worked a contributor copyright investigation may also provide good experience for clerking. Anyone may request to become a trainee clerk on this page's discussion page. Users in good standing with experience in copyright areas may ask any current clerk to be a trainee clerk. New clerks are selected on an as needed basis; it is not unreasonable that clerk nominees who are otherwise knowledgeable and in good standing be turned down if there is not current need.

Trainee clerks perform any roles delegated by the clerk's trainer, including the removal of {{Copyvio}} templates and the opening of CCIs.

Clerk review

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To ensure that clerks are operating within expected parameters, their work may be subjected to periodic review by administrators experienced in copyright. Perfection is not expected; what is being evaluated is whether or not the clerk is still demonstrating the requisite qualities. Clerks who are not may be mentored. Clerks who persistently make problematic closures of listings or otherwise violate decorum may be asked to cease contributing here.

Admin patrollers

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Administrators are still required to interact with copyright problems where clerks have marked a need for administrator action, including deletion and revision deletion. Administrators are not required to follow clerk recommendations, but should engage clerks in conversation before unilaterally restoring content that a clerk has judged to be problematic (unless new information has come to light). While there is always some subjectivity in copyright work, clerks are experienced in Wikipedia's copyright handling, and in our goal to create free content we may sometimes have to reach informed consensus on disputes or (in particularly complex matters) consult with the Wikimedia Foundation's attorneys.

Please see Wikipedia:Copyright problems/Advice for admins for general instructions for administrators on how to handle copyright problems.

Below are some admins that are skilled in copyright issues:

Advice for clerks

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A detailed document setting out recommended practices for clerks is available at Wikipedia:Copyright problems/Advice for clerks.

Userbox

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Wikitext userbox where used
{{User:Isochrone/User copyright clerk}}
This user is a copyright clerk on the English Wikipedia. (verify)
linked pages

For a topicon, add {{CCI Clerk topicon}} to your userpage.