How does the "random article" in Wikipedia work?

Is it legal to re-hash an article from Wikipedia in your own words and publish it as your own work?

Obviously references would need to be made where applicable (e.g. to scientific studies) but what about the general description. e.g. could I just steal the summary of World War 2 and ...show more
Answer:

No need to steal anything. You are free to take it and do what you want with it providing and new work you create based on the Wikipedia article is similarly freely distributed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_3.0_Unported_License

GRX5L2ICK5X3IZKBVBIHZ24DHA at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

You just used the word steal in what you would be doing, but ask if it would be legal? Ummm? Looks like maybe your elevator doesn't go all the way to the top floor.

Jeffrey

It depends on what we're talking about here. Wikipedia uses the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike license, meaning that yes you can legally rehash the text, as long as you attribute it to "Wikipedia contributors" and release it under the same license. If we're talking about some sort of school work or other academic writing, then the answer is absolutely NO as a matter of policy at every institution.

Yes as long as you cite where you got your resources from ┄

Hannah

Yeah as long as you rewrote it and cited it. Alot of times on power points I copy and paste stuff and then edit it to my words but keep the frame work.

Kory K

It's plagiarism. It is not something you'd be imprisoned for, but if you made profit from it I guess the original publisher could sue you.

Sons Of Plunder

Related Q & A:

Is it possible to edit the title of an article you have just created on Wikipedia?Best solution by Yahoo! Answers
How do you make article on Wikipedia?Best solution by Yahoo! Answers
How to find out when a Wikipedia article was created?Best solution by jesoba.com
What do you think of the Wikipedia article about recent events in Honduras?Best solution by Yahoo! Answers
How do i insert a picture in an article on Wikipedia?Best solution by Yahoo! Answers

Just Added Q & A:

How many active mobile subscribers are there in China?Best solution by Quora
How to find the right vacation?Best solution by bookit.com
How To Make Your Own Primer?Best solution by thekrazycouponlady.com
How do you get the domain & range?Best solution by ChaCha
How do you open pop up blockers?Best solution by Yahoo! Answers

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

Got an issue and looking for advice?
Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.
Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.