This article or section contains references to a current or ongoing event.
Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. If there is anything in the article that is out of date, please edit the content or request an update.
On April 1 2005, Encyclopædia Britannica, The Free Encyclopædia, announced its immediate semi-hostile takeover of the Wikimedia Foundation and all of its projects, including Wikipedia (now Wikipædia), Wikisource, Wikibooks, and Wikinews. Jimbo Wales, giving a brief statement to the National Enquirer from his Maui survivalist compound that he shares with domestic partner Larry "Bud" Melman, was reported to be "extremely pleased" with the $133.7 million severance package given to each of the five-and-a-half members on the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees. Internal Britannica discussions with investors indicate discomfort that "the Wikipedia wasn't that free of an encyclopedia after all."
Measures expected to be implemented as part of the agreement include an immediate restriction on contributions to Wikipedia and its sister projects to those that have already signed formal agreements with Britannica and an immediate appropriation of all funds donated during the last funding drive to be divided amongst previous contributors to Britannica. It's expected that to create or edit a page will now cost users $49.97(US)/page. They will need approximately 14 million edits for the purchase to be profitable. The Edit this page feature will be renamed Adopt this page.
Wikipedia administrators, members of the Wikimedia Board of Trustees, Arbitration Committee members and several other cabalists will receive free access. However, their adminship powers will be stripped permanently.
Read more and Source : Wikipedia
Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. If there is anything in the article that is out of date, please edit the content or request an update.
On April 1 2005, Encyclopædia Britannica, The Free Encyclopædia, announced its immediate semi-hostile takeover of the Wikimedia Foundation and all of its projects, including Wikipedia (now Wikipædia), Wikisource, Wikibooks, and Wikinews. Jimbo Wales, giving a brief statement to the National Enquirer from his Maui survivalist compound that he shares with domestic partner Larry "Bud" Melman, was reported to be "extremely pleased" with the $133.7 million severance package given to each of the five-and-a-half members on the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees. Internal Britannica discussions with investors indicate discomfort that "the Wikipedia wasn't that free of an encyclopedia after all."
Measures expected to be implemented as part of the agreement include an immediate restriction on contributions to Wikipedia and its sister projects to those that have already signed formal agreements with Britannica and an immediate appropriation of all funds donated during the last funding drive to be divided amongst previous contributors to Britannica. It's expected that to create or edit a page will now cost users $49.97(US)/page. They will need approximately 14 million edits for the purchase to be profitable. The Edit this page feature will be renamed Adopt this page.
Wikipedia administrators, members of the Wikimedia Board of Trustees, Arbitration Committee members and several other cabalists will receive free access. However, their adminship powers will be stripped permanently.
Read more and Source : Wikipedia