Plot Summary editing policies

We've created the ability for contributors to directly add/update/edit/delete the plot summaries entry for non-English titles. The plot summary feature is the place to add a summary of the plot of the title, but not including spoilers, so users who haven't seen a movie or missed an episode of a TV series don’t want to read everything about the title.

We're still asking you to follow our Plot summary guidelines set out for English titles:

  • Any analysis or opinion of the film should be left out of the Plot Summary page. e.g., "This film is one of Hitchcock's finest." It is up to the viewer to decide if he/she likes it. This includes performances by actors and actresses.
  • Where possible, try not to use any actor or actress names in the plot summary. This is already taken care of in the movie database. If possible, use the character names from the movie.
  • All copyrighted material is excluded from the plot summaries database. This includes movie guides, newspapers, and even the blurb on the back of the video case.
  • Further, plot summaries must be your original work. No plot summaries may be copied from other websites, which includes blogs or official sites, unless you can prove ownership.
  • You should always spell check any summaries you submit.

Note that we are still adamant and passionate about the advantages of ensuring our data remains as structured as possible and properly categorized (as are our contributors) so if you add data here that is irrelevant, it is highly likely that other users will remove or revert it.

First, in order to contribute information to our IMDb Plot Summary pages, you must be a registered IMDb user and complete additional authentication of your account.

While we encourage you to contribute and take part in creating the Plot Summary, you should read the following policies and follow them:

  1. Do not add content that obviously fits other sections of IMDb: We do not want to replicate information that can easily fit in one of our existing categories. Hard data like cast/crew information, release dates or box office numbers are still going to be edited and managed via the regular submission process; if you want to learn how to contribute to non-Plot Summary categories, you may do so here.

  2. Discuss: When there are disagreements in editing, avoid edit wars on the page itself and instead use the relevant discussion page to work out differences, while still observing discussion page rules.

  3. Before editing or reverting other people's edits - stop, think and assume the other side point of view: Understand that the other contributor thinks that he was right in editing the Plot summary. Therefore, if you find a mistake correct it, but if you simply do not agree with the other contributor, consider using the discussion page. Remember - avoid using 'Revert' unless you're reverting obvious vandalism.

  4. Respect other contributors and interact in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere: As IMDb's contributors come from many different backgrounds, and have widely different views, treating others with respect is key to collaborating effectively. Be civil and avoid making personal attacks or sweeping generalizations.

  5. Do not vandalize: Vandalism is any addition, deletion, or change of content made in a deliberate attempt to compromise the integrity of IMDb.

  6. Always keep in mind that by posting in Plot Summary you agree to follow our ON-LINE SERVICES TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE.

While you should expect that other contributors will edit or revert actions that you made that violate policies 1, 2 or 3, IMDb will enforce a zero tolerance policy on users who violate policies 4, 5 or 6. Violators will lose all rights associated with an authenticated account, including the right to edit Synopsis pages. Users who lose their authentication rights due to violations of policies 4, 5 or 6 will not be able to regain them.

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