Thread:Sannse/@comment-4129195-20141020220201/@comment-5558012-20141025170222

Brandon Rhea wrote:

If the image is copyrighted and you are claiming fair use, then you can use a fair use licensing template. That is not, however, required under fair use; there's a common misconception on Wikia that adding a fair use template is what makes an image fair use, or that the fair use template is required. It is not, though it can certainly be helpful so other people know that you are using the image under a fair use claim.

A fair use rationale template is important in documenting why an image is used under the claim of fair use. Yes just adding a fair use template (less so for a rationale) doesn't guarantee fair use. An image must meet certain requirements to allow for a defense under fair use. Just adding images willy-nilly and expecting them to be okay under fair use is foolish and certain unprofessional.