User:CKoerner (WMF)/MP3 patrol discussion
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A discussion about support for MP3 on Commons
[edit]Hello Commons,
The decoding and encoding technology for the popular MP3 audio format is now patent-free worldwide. Wikimedia Foundation legal has given the OK to move forward with the use of MP3 files on our projects from a legal perspective (phab:T120288#3316046). This means Commons could allow for the uploading and sharing of media in this format. That has the potential benefit of many free files being contributed to the project that exist in this format. However, as you can imagine, there are many workflow and technical considerations. There are also concerns regarding the uploading of content that is not under an appropriate license and the detection of such ill-suited files. The Multimedia team at the foundation wants to learn more from the Commons community. There is no currently planned work for the team related to MP3 support (Most of our attention is on support for structured data on Commons). Nonetheless, we want to take this time to work with the community in understanding how things might move forward.
I'd like to start, or continue for some, a conversation about how we might approach this opportunity. These are just ideas for discussion. First, a suggested course of action.
What if we approached MP3 uploads in phases?
- Phase 0 - Uploading MP3s is a constrained user right defined in the permission system. It would be up to Commons folk to help determine the requirements for what this user right looks like. Uploads are only allowed by folks in this group. The community would need to figure out a way to track these uploads for accountability.
- Phase 1 - A tool is developed that perhaps an expanded group of contributors could use to patrol MP3 uploads. This sounds something that might be accomplished via a Project Grant. It is also possible that the foundation could make plans to work on such a tool sometime in the future, but priorities, budgets, and annual goals need to be considered. User:Dispenser has mentioned a few services that may make this possible and can discuss a tool he has created: T132650#3273150 T120288#3461531.
- Phase 2 - An inline tool for detecting licensed files in the upload process that everyone uses that patrols
More information:
Second, a few questions to consider:
- Is enabling MP3 uploads something the Commons community wants?
- How would enabling the upload of MP3 files function? What documentation, interface prompts, and tools are needed?
- For example, do we need to modify the language on upload tools to reference MP3 related policies or technical limitations?
- Where do you see problems with this proposal?
- What concerns do you have with enabling MP3 uploads that are not addressed?
Third, a sincere thank you for reading all of that and and taking the time to provide your considerations on the topic.
Yours, ~ ~ ~ ~