Talk:List of Australian flags/Archive 1

Untitled
What about the National Colonial flag of Australia?

Aboriginal flag
The Australian Aboriginal flag is copyrighted and thus WP can only use it under the provisions of fair use. Fair use would not extend to this article, so the image should be removed. See Image talk:Australian aboriginal flag.png for a discussion about this. --pfctdayelise 12:59, 28 November 2005 (UTC)

Civil Air Ensign
Isn't the Civil Air Ensign image lifted from FOTW? Becuase if it indeed is a FOTW image it needs , which is more specific and restrictive than the   (general flag tag) it has atm. FYI I've seen FOTW's listing at Free or semi-free non-Public-Domain information resources. PS. I will make a PD Australian Civil Air Ensign if someone gives me the specifications. Greentubing 02:47, 5 February 2006 (UTC)


 * I didn't realise there was a FOTW tag. However the image is still PD regardless of its source. Astrotrain 11:39, 5 February 2006 (UTC)


 * The FOTW tag adds restrictions, namely that that particular rendition is copyright, regardless of the copyright status of the design. I will add the tag and proper attrbutions. Greentubing 23:08, 5 February 2006 (UTC)

City flags
Should more city flags be added? I know that Brisbane has one, and I'd be surprise if the other capitals and major cities didn't. I don't know a source other than FOTW for them in electronic format, though. Xt828 (talk) 22:57, 26 March 2008 (UTC)

Image copyright problem with Image:Autriservice.gif
The image Image:Autriservice.gif is used in this article under a claim of fair use, but it does not have an adequate explanation for why it meets the requirements for such images when used here. In particular, for each page the image is used on, it must have an explanation linking to that page which explains why it needs to be used on that page. Please check


 * That there is a non-free use rationale on the image's description page for the use in this article.
 * That this article is linked to from the image description page.

This is an automated notice by FairuseBot. For assistance on the image use policy, see Media copyright questions. --10:37, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Customs flag
Probably a good idea to have it in the list, but surely it cannot be classified as a Civil Ensign? JPD (talk) 00:56, 25 June 2008 (UTC)

Flag of Greater Melbourne
File:Flag of greater Melbourne.PNG was nominated for deletion on Commons a long time ago. Do we have any verification for who created/use this? John Vandenberg (chat) 12:38, 11 May 2010 (UTC)

(Herald Federal Flag)
The flag is a former ARE??? as far as im aware it was the winning design for the national flag conducted by a newspaper in 1901! Nford24 (Talk) 07:29, 2 May 2012 (UTC)

File:Australian Flag with Aboriginal Flag.svg
This has apparently been separately spontaneously proposed by various people at various times, but the flag experts don't like it, and the designer of the Aboriginal Flag claims it would be copyright infringement... AnonMoos (talk) 22:01, 31 March 2013 (UTC)
 * Is it really possible to copyright something that simple? Regardless, it's too simple for US copyright so I see no reason to remove it or worry about it particularly.   Nik Naks  talk - gallery 22:13, 31 March 2013 (UTC)


 * It's not copyrightable under United States copyright law, but the basic Aboriginal Flag is copyrightable under Australian law. I was just providing some context, since there are blanks in its entry on the article page -- I don't think it has a single proposer, but various people have come up with the idea independently... AnonMoos (talk) 01:53, 1 April 2013 (UTC)

Proposed alternative flags
Look like proposed flags list is more then actual flags of Australia. It bit confusing first i thought "wow how many flag Australia has, but after checking out the page look like proposed alternative flags list is more then actual flags LOL --Muzi (talk) 08:48, 3 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Good point, it does confuse the issue. Propose we move the proposed flags to their own page or the Flag Debate page.--Oliver Nouther (talk) 10:40, 3 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I agree. They aren't official flags so they shouldn't really be taking up so much space here.   Nik Naks  talk - gallery 13:01, 3 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I have created the new article here. Please remove the majority of the flags in the section on this page as appropriate - I imagine we'll want to keep some of the more notable ones like the more popular Ausflag ones.   Nik Naks  talk - gallery 16:17, 3 April 2013 (UTC)

Omitted flags
Several flags have been blanked out from the article, namely:

Why is this so? The comment for the Torres Strait Islander Flag claims it "can't be used in this list per WP:NFLISTS". That guideline states:

I'm not convinced that this applies to omit flags from an article whose sole purpose is as a list of flags, i.e., where the images are integral to conveying and understanding the content. The description "A five-pointed star and traditional headdress in white, on a blue, green and black background" is a poor substitute for showing the actual flag, but any other image would not represent the actual flag accurately. The guidelines at MOS:FLAG, which deal with the use of flag icons, is also irrelevant to the use of flags as the subject of an article. No rationale has been given to justify excluding the above flags but showing all of the others in the article. Flags are surely exempt from copyright for free use in Wikipedia articles about flags; indeed the above flags are all included on the separate linked articles and there are many other articles containing galleries of flags.

Is there any valid reason why these flags shouldn't be included in this article? —sroc &#x1F4AC; 09:30, 25 April 2014 (UTC)


 * It is debatable whether the article may or may not show non-free flags, but showing them on this talk page is clearly inappropriate per WP:NFCC. I've replaced them with links to the files. SiBr4 (talk) 11:52, 25 April 2014 (UTC)


 * In accordance with Non-free content criteria (WP:NFCCP):

Other non-free content—including all copyrighted images, audio and video clips, and other media files that lack a free content license—may be used on the English Wikipedia only where all 10 of the following criteria are met.


 * 1) No free equivalent. Non-free content is used only where no free equivalent is available, or could be created, that would serve the same encyclopedic purpose.
 * No other image would serve the purpose of illustrating these flags/ensigns.

 Respect for commercial opportunities. Non-free content is not used in a manner that is likely to replace the original market role of the original copyrighted material. 
 * These uses are unlikely to replace the original role of the original images and are all provided in small resolution unsuitable for commercial exploitation.

 Minimal usage:Minimal number of items. Multiple items of non-free content are not used if one item can convey equivalent significant information.Minimal extent of use. An entire work is not used if a portion will suffice. Low- rather than high-resolution/fidelity/bit rate is used (especially where the original could be used for deliberate copyright infringement). This rule also applies to the copy in the File: namespace. 
 * Each flag/ensign is to be included only once and no other versions would convey the equivalent significant information. No portion of the original works would suffice to accurately represent the work.  Low resolution is used in each case.

 Previous publication. Non-free content must be a work which has been published or publicly displayed outside Wikipedia by (or with permission from) the copyright holder, or a derivative of such a work created by a Wikipedia editor. 
 * These are either widely published and/or derivatives created by Wikipedians.

 Content. Non-free content meets general Wikipedia content standards and is encyclopedic. </li></ol>
 * They are encyclopedic and serve the specific purpose of illustrating the content they refer to.

<li> Media-specific policy. Non-free content meets Wikipedia's media-specific policy. For example, images must meet Image use policy. </li></ol>
 * The images meet this policy (otherwise they would have been deleted).

<li> One-article minimum. Non-free content is used in at least one article. </li></ol>
 * These images are already used on other articles.

<li>Contextual significance. Non-free content is used only if its presence would significantly increase readers' understanding of the article topic, and its omission would be detrimental to that understanding. </li></ol>
 * These flags/ensigns are significant in the context of an article listing the flags of Australia (indeed, they are already listed) and their omission is detrimental in accurately representing and understanding the visualisation of each flag/ensign.

<li> Restrictions on location. Non-free content is allowed only in articles (not disambiguation pages), and only in article namespace, subject to exemptions. (To prevent an image category from displaying thumbnails, add __NOGALLERY__ to it; images are linked, not inlined, from talk pages when they are a topic of discussion.) </li></ol>
 * The article is in article namespace.

<li> Image description page. The image or media description page contains the following:<ol type="a" style="list-style-type:lower-alpha"><li>Identification of the source of the original copyrighted material, supplemented, where possible, with information about the artist, publisher and copyright holder, and year of copyright; this is to help determine the material's potential market value. See: Citing sources.</li><li>A copyright tag that indicates which Wikipedia policy provision is claimed to permit the use. For a list of image copyright tags, see Image copyright tags/Non-free content.</li><li>The name of each article (a link to each article is also recommended) in which fair use is claimed for the item, and a separate, specific non-free use rationale for each use of the item, as explained at Non-free use rationale guideline. The rationale is presented in clear, plain language and is relevant to each use.</li></ol> </li></ol>
 * The image description pages have the required information, including non-free use rationales specific to this article.


 * Therefore, the images should be included. —sroc &#x1F4AC; 08:01, 28 April 2014 (UTC)


 * There was a review of WP:NFCC about this page, at WP:NFRC WP:NFCR which determined that the files should not be in this article. Do not re-add them. Werieth (talk) 12:14, 28 April 2014 (UTC)


 * Where is this review located? Note your comment included a redlink.
 * Your also undid other changes to image sizes and descriptions, without explanation.  What was the reason for this reversion, or was this unintentional?  —sroc &#x1F4AC; 12:38, 28 April 2014 (UTC)
 * Your also undid other changes to image sizes and descriptions, without explanation.  What was the reason for this reversion, or was this unintentional?  —sroc &#x1F4AC; 12:38, 28 April 2014 (UTC)


 * Ive fixed the link swapped the CR around. Not sure which archive the discussion is in, but the outcome was that the files are unacceptable. User:Expatkiwi was actually blocked because they refused to abide by WP:NFC. If you take a look I made a follow up edit that re-added those changes. It was a matter of me not seeing that edit. Werieth (talk) 12:48, 28 April 2014 (UTC)


 * Thanks. The only reference I found to this article was at Non-free content review/Archive 23 where you opposed Expatkiwi's request on the basis of WP:NFLIST/WP:NFLISTS, a guideline which I have expressly discussed above specifically in relation to lists of flags.  I have also discussed the various criteria of WP:NFCCP point by point to explain why the images should be included in this specific case.  Rather than simply citing the guidelines, could you please explain your reversions by reference to the specific text that you think applies in this case?  —sroc &#x1F4AC; 13:08, 28 April 2014 (UTC)


 * Basically each of these flags has its own article, and thus we can point readers to that article instead of displaying it on this one, and as a list no single flag is critical, in fact you could just link to all the relevant articles. (Foundations based off WP:NFCC#1,3,8). In this case a wiki link to the primary article can replace the file, #3 we want to keep usage of non-free media minimal thus include in only in the article about the subject, and lists lack the critical commentary necessary to establish #8. Suggestion about above, remove the wall of text and just boil it down to your actual points. Re-including a full policy page in a discussion just makes your points harder to figure out. Werieth (talk) 13:17, 28 April 2014 (UTC)


 * You raised WP:NFCC #1, 3 and 8, but I have addressed each of these individually above: #1 "no free equivalent is available, or could be created, that would serve the same encyclopedic purpose" (i.e., showing the flag being mentioned); #3 each flag/ensign is only included once and no other version would convey the equivalent significant information; #8 the inclusion of each flag/ensign would increase readers' understanding because the visuals aid the reader to recognise the flag/ensign being discussed. In response to your specific comments:
 * "In this case a wiki link to the primary article can replace the file..." Merely providing a link to an article that includes the flag/ensign image is not nearly as helpful to the reader as providing the image in this article, the express purpose of which is as a list of flags/ensigns. The images aid immediate recognition and visual comparison between the various flags listed on the same page without having to click through to multiple articles.
 * "#3 we want to keep usage of non-free media minimal thus include in only in the article about the subject..." I read #3a ("Multiple items of non-free content are not used if one item can convey equivalent significant information") as meaning that multiple images should not be used when one will do (e.g., Seinfeld does not need multiple photos of Elaine Benes), so a list of flags can have one of each flag being referenced.
 * "lists lack the critical commentary necessary to establish #8." Note that #8 ("Non-free content is used only if its presence would significantly increase readers' understanding of the article topic, and its omission would be detrimental to that understanding") does not refer to any requirement for "critical commentary".
 * I included the "wall of text" above so that I could address each point one by one, since it was not clear which points (if any) might be contested and I thought that would be the clearest way to convey the rationale in this case. —sroc &#x1F4AC; 13:53, 28 April 2014 (UTC)

As I am not convinced by the above, I have raised this at. —sroc &#x1F4AC; 00:06, 1 May 2014 (UTC)

Per the decision from, I have removed the non-free flag images from this article, and placed non-viewable html comments to the effect that they should not be used on this article. --Hammersoft (talk) 19:12, 3 April 2015 (UTC)

Police flags
Is it possible to add the police flags for each state/territory to each row in the main table? I was told one before that they are copyrighted, but they appear on the List of Australian Police flags page (which I have proposed to be deleted due to the information existing on this main page). I would like to know if the rules have changed and this is allowed now. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Nick Mitchell 98 (talk • contribs) 03:34, 31 January 2015 (UTC)

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"Link to file"
So, sadly, some flags cannot be displayed here for copyright reasons or whatever, but they can be shown in the article dealing with that particular flag (e.g., Torres Strait Islander Flag). The tables now have a "Link to file" in the column where the flag would have been, linking to "File:...", i.e., outside the article space on Wikipedia. In anoter column is a link to the article on the flag. I think it would be better to duplicate that link in the column with flags, or to replace the first link with a text like "See article linked to the right" or something like that.--Nø (talk) 11:51, 12 July 2018 (UTC)
 * The point of the first column is to display the flag's image so readers can easily see what the flag looks like, not to link to the article on the flag, if the flag even has one. If we could display the images they would be in that column, as all of the other images are. Some of the flags don't have articles, the links are to the article about the organisation that uses the flag. As it stands now the "Flag" column consistently links to the image, whether that be displaying the image or linking to the image page while the "Use" column links to various types of articles. What you're proposing would remove the first column consistency. -- Aussie Legend  ( ✉ ) 13:30, 12 July 2018 (UTC)
 * I see your point. In the two cases I checked, the link under "Use" led to an article prominently displaying the flag, but if it would lead to inconsistencies because other links do not, it may be better to leave it as it is.--Nø (talk) 16:38, 12 July 2018 (UTC)
 * I've replaced "Link to flag" with the flag image. It's allowed here under a fair use rationale. -- Beland (talk) 03:37, 22 July 2021 (UTC)
 * Somebody had reverted it back to "Link to flag" so I've fixed that. There's something inherently irrational about the argument being made that the flag can be displayed on wikipedia on a page about the flag, but can't be included in a table listing flags of Australia. Either the fair use rationale is valid across wikipedia, in which case the image here is fine, or it's not valid in which case the image shouldn't be displayed on any page. Antonine (talk) 10:02, 2 September 2021 (UTC)