User blog comment:Cloak5000/Too many Open Source characters/@comment-151.151.109.23-20130605230605

I wouldn't say the "Open Source" characters are overwhelming. There are still fewer than 200 out of more than 2000 characters. And another argument for keeping them here is that many are connected to or inspired by PD characters in some way.

Now, I helped to create Astro-Man, General Kathar, Talib Al Hasan, Dr. Acacia and "Red Rose" (I created the concept art for all but Astro-Man), and I can tell you that my own intentions are pure, in that I geniunely want people to use them, without any form of recognition or compensation. But I share your suspicion that others want to create characters, and let others do the hard work of putting them in a story, and then demand credit or compensation. The terms of use for these characters are all over the map, and I really wish we could get people to post an offical creative commons link for each one (I'd do mine, but I'm only co-creator, so that's problematic). I definitely think it's odd to post any character where the license does not permit you to create derivative works. And let's face it, a lot of these characters are mere husks or starting points for a character. Who would want to share credit with another creator for a character that is barely 10% complete?

I do think these characters should be profiled, but I think anyone using them should strongly consider getting in touch with the creator (maybe link to a site where the creator can be reached), to get permission anyway. An open source wikia will allow people to easily puruse characters and make connections if they want to partner with another creator. However, maybe a condition of a character being posted on PDSH Wikia, is that there be an active creative commons license to link to, stating that the character is fully PD, without conditions or only with a Share Alike condition.