Decide whether two submissions are duplicates or variants

Context and provenance

Compare the objects at three levels. First examine the file or visible image: framing, caption, watermark and animation frames. Then compare its publication context: account, date, accompanying text and audience. Finally compare the claim being made about it. An identical image can document two different episodes of circulation.

Give each distinct claim a short description before choosing whether to merge records. Keep one canonical entry for a repeated submission of the same source and explanation. Keep a relationship between entries when a translation, remix or new setting changes what the evidence shows. Preserve original submitted identifiers in your notes so future references can still be followed.

The included registry normalizes source URLs and rejects duplicates; it does not calculate image similarity or determine cultural equivalence. A rejection may therefore need an explanatory review note directing a contributor toward a distinct source or a correction request. Avoid calling an automated URL match proof of plagiarism. The important output is a documented relationship and a reason for the editorial decision.

Sources and evidence

1. W3C: PROV overview