Openai/6919cf2b-44b0-8009-b3bb-8edf9b93c11c

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gpt-5

User: I adapted a work from a Wikipedia image that has a license that says CC-BY-SA.

I adapted a work from a Wikipedia image that has a license that says CC-BY-SA. The first step is it is asking whether I created it or not do I say yes or no?

Assistant: Good question — this can be a little tricky, so let’s break it down clearly:

Good question — this can be a little tricky, so let’s break it down clearly:

If you adapted (i.e., modified, edited, or built upon) an image from Wikipedia that’s licensed under CC BY-SA, then you did create a new work, but it’s a derivative work of the original.

So:

• When the form or platform asks, “Did you create this?” — the answer depends on what they mean by “create.” - ✅ If they mean “Did you make or modify this version yourself?” → Yes, you created this version (since you adapted it). - ❌ If they mean “Is this entirely your own original work, with no parts taken from others?” → No, because it’s based on someone else’s image under CC BY-SA.

In most licensing or upload forms (like Wikimedia Commons, DeviantArt, etc.), the correct option is usually:

If you tell me where you’re uploading it (e.g., Wikimedia Commons, your website, a publishing platform, etc.), I can give you the exact phrasing you should use to make it compliant. Would you like to tell me where you’re uploading it?

User: Wikipedia commons

Wikipedia commons

Assistant: Perfect — thanks, that helps a lot.

Perfect — thanks, that helps a lot.

If you’re uploading your adapted image to Wikimedia Commons, here’s exactly how to handle that first step and the licensing parts:

On Wikimedia Commons, you should answer “No” — because it’s based on another work, not entirely your own original creation.

Even though you adapted it, Commons considers that a derivative work, not an entirely self-created one.

In the “Source” field, write something like:

(Make sure you include the actual link and name of the original author as shown on the original file’s page.)

Choose the same license as the original — e.g. CC BY-SA 4.0, or whatever version the original used.

Because under Creative Commons “ShareAlike,” derivative works must use the same (or compatible) license.

Example summary of what your upload info might look like:

| | | | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Would you like me to draft a ready-to-copy upload description you can paste into the Commons form (if you share the link to the original image)?

User: Or do I say yes and mostly by me

Or do I say yes and mostly by me

Assistant: Good question — and it’s great that you’re being careful here.

Good question — and it’s great that you’re being careful here.

On Wikimedia Commons, when you’re uploading an adapted or modified version of someone else’s work under CC BY-SA, the safest and most correct option is:

Even if you made significant changes or it’s “mostly by you,” Commons’ policy still treats it as a derivative, not “entirely your own.”

The phrase “mostly by me” is not sufficient for copyright purposes — because even one part of another person’s CC-licensed work means it’s derived from theirs, and proper attribution and license continuity (the “SA” part) are required.

So to be 100% clear for Wikimedia Commons:

| | | | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | |

If you’d like, you can paste the link to the original Wikipedia Commons image here, and I’ll write you a ready-to-copy attribution and description that fits Commons perfectly.

User: Okay what do I put on the reason it is free to share

Okay what do I put on the reason it is free to share

Assistant: Excellent — that’s the next key part of the Wikimedia Commons upload process.

Excellent — that’s the next key part of the Wikimedia Commons upload process.

When it asks for the “Reason why this work is in the public domain or free to share”, here’s what to do in your situation:

Since your image is an adaptation of a CC BY-SA–licensed work, it’s free to share because of the terms of that license — not because it’s public domain.

So your explanation should clearly state that:

• The original work is under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) license.
• Your adaptation is shared under the same license, as required by the “ShareAlike” condition.

:

If you know the exact license version (e.g., CC BY-SA 3.0 or CC BY-SA 4.0), you can make it more specific:

Would you like me to generate the exact wording for you using the real link and author from the original file (so you can copy it right into Commons)?

User: Where can I put my contributions

Where can I put my contributions

Assistant: Great — that’s an important question!

Great — that’s an important question! Wikimedia Commons wants you to clearly describe what you contributed when uploading an adaptation or derivative work.

Here’s where and how to do that 👇

This is where you show both the original creator and your contribution:

Example:

That’s the standard Wikimedia way to show who did what.

You can expand and explain your contributions more clearly here — this helps others understand what’s different about your version.

Example:

So in short:

• The “Author” field → short credit line
• The “Description” field → longer explanation of your contributions

If you want to be extra transparent, you can also add:

Would you like to paste the link to the original image here? Then I can give you a ready-to-copy version of all these fields (author, source, description, and license) — exactly how they should appear on Wikimedia Commons.

gpt-5-mini

User: Now do I say it was created today or when the original was created

Now do I say it was created today or when the original was created

Assistant: On Wikimedia Commons, for derivative works, the “date of creation” refers to when you made your version, not when the o…

On Wikimedia Commons, for derivative works, the “date of creation” refers to when you made your version, not when the original was created.

So:

• Use today’s date (or the actual date you finished your adaptation).
• The original file’s date will already be visible in the attribution/source link, so there’s no need to duplicate it.

Example:

• Date: 27 October 2025 (today, when you finished your adaptation)
• Author: Original by Jane Doe; adaptation by JohnSmith
• Source: Link to original file

This is standard Commons practice for derivative works — it makes clear what part of the work you’re responsible for and when.

If you want, I can put together a complete, ready-to-paste Wikimedia Commons upload form for your adapted image, including author, source, description, license, and date. That way you won’t miss any step.

User: Am i supposed to put the original file

Am i supposed to put the original file

Assistant: Yes — absolutely.

Yes — absolutely. On Wikimedia Commons, whenever you upload a derivative work, you must provide a link to the original file in the Source field.

Here’s why and how:

✅ Why include the original file

• It gives proper attribution to the original author (required by CC BY-SA).
• It shows the work is a derivative, not entirely your own.
• It allows others to verify the license and see the original version.

✅ How to include it

In the Source field, write something like:

Adapted from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:OriginalFilename.jpg<ref>{{cite web|title=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:OriginalFilename.jpg|url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:OriginalFilename.jpg|publisher=commons.wikimedia.org|access-date=2025-11-16}}</ref> by Jane Doe, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Or shorter:

Source: Original by Jane Doe (CC BY-SA 4.0), adapted by JohnSmith

So yes — the original file must be referenced. You don’t upload it again; you just link to it.

If you want, I can write a complete ready-to-paste template for your upload, with author, source, description, license, date, all properly formatted for Commons. That will make it much easier. Do you want me to do that?

User: I mean link to the source or the file

I mean link to the source or the file

Assistant: Ah, got it — you’re asking whether to link to the original file page on Commons or upload the original file itself.

Ah, got it — you’re asking whether to link to the original file page on Commons or upload the original file itself.

✅ You should link to the original file — do not upload the original file again.

Here’s the correct approach:

• Source field: Put the URL of the original file’s Commons page. Example:

Adapted from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:OriginalFilename.jpg by Jane Doe, CC BY-SA 4.0

• Do NOT upload the original file — that already exists on Commons, and uploading it again would be a duplicate.

This way, your adaptation is clearly connected to the original, giving proper attribution, and meets the CC BY-SA requirements.

If you want, I can create a ready-to-use template with author, source link, description, license, and date for your adaptation so you can paste it straight into Commons.