So, some people have been concerned and confused about the process of how the images are being looked at. So, here's what we're doing in the simplest terms possible.
A volunteer or staff member will find an image which is in violation. At this point, the image code is taken down, but the image is not deleted. Then the image holder is contacted for permission.
One of three results may follow
1. The image holder accepts with some accreditation/terms of some sort
2. The image holder requests the image be permanently taken down
3. The image holder never gets back to us.
Currently, images under option 3 will remain down indefinitely, and if we don't hear from a copyright holder for a to-be-determined amount of time we may reinstate it. 173's image is being left for last because of the difficulty involved in its status as an important site cultural piece. Note that we DO plan to deal with it, and aren't ignoring the problem. Vezaz's articles are also being worked around even more temporarily, but beyond that no articles will receive special status. Authors are being PMed with the reason for the article takedown, and I have begun telling people to post in the discussion thread to be extra crystal clear.
If there is anything else people come to you asking, please forward it to me or one of my volunteers.
Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you!