==Copyvios== 

 Translation is not a red herring.  The fact is, for most encyclopedic articles, a free translation should be enough to remove copyright difficulties.  This would not be true for exceptionally long or exceptionally "creative" articles; but, this being an encyclopedia, one should think that the latter would be few in number.  I maintain that my advice was sound (although not exhaustive) because it would apply to a large majority of the articles here.  I would not post such advice at alt.novels discussion groups, though.  I feel your understanding of copyrights is overly formalistic, and this devotion to formalism has injected mild hostility into your tone.  Have you ever had courtroom experience with them?  I've clerked for a federal judge, so I do have some experience in this regard.  Practically, ask two questions when evaluating these things: "Would a reasonable copyright holder recognize this example as infringement of his/her own works in this instance?" and "Would a reasonable court grant relief?"  For a large majority of encyclopedic articles (which are normally factual, not creative), a free translation negates each of these concerns.  Copyrights are not staid abstractions; they are a practical means for the control of creative work  they do not apply to information in and of itself. 

 While I am very busy, if you will forward to me any shorter encyclopedic suspected copyvios in French, I assure that I can manage a free translation of them, such that I'll gladly indemnify and hold harmless Wikimedia against any claims.  In a way, you see, this is a wager, on my part, regarding the soundness of my advice.  I'd extend the offer further, but I am no polyglot. )  Best wishes,    PS. Since you are an exacting fellow, I'll advise you that your talk page is receiving the standard warning regarding length.