Creative Commons (CC) is a globally recognized licensing system that allows creators to grant explicit permissions for specific uses of their work. These licenses enable authors, artists, educators, and other creators to legally share their works with predefined usage rights while retaining certain aspects of copyright protection.
Types of Creative Commons Licenses
Attribution (CC BY)
This license lets others distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon your work, even commercially, as long as they credit you for the original creation.
Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)
This license allows others to remix, adapt, and build upon your work even for commercial purposes, provided they credit you and license their new creations under the identical terms.
Attribution-NoDerivs (CC BY-ND)
This license permits redistribution, commercially and non-commercially, as long as the work is unchanged and credited to the creator.
Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC)
This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work non-commercially, and although their new works must also acknowledge the original creator and be non-commercial, they don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA)
This license allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon your work non-commercially, as long as they credit you and license their new creations under the identical terms.
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND)
This is the most restrictive license. It only allows others to download your works and share them with others as long as they credit you, but they can’t change them in any way or use them commercially.
Special Considerations
Public Domain Dedication (CC0)
The CC0 tool allows creators to place their works in the public domain, so others can freely build upon, enhance, and reuse the works for any purposes without restriction under copyright or database law.
Legal Context
Creative Commons licenses are based on existing copyright law and are legally robust. They are designed to interact seamlessly with copyright statutes around the world.
Examples of Creative Commons Usage
- Wikimedia Commons: A large repository of media content that is freely usable under Creative Commons licenses.
- Flickr: Many users upload photos with various Creative Commons licenses.
- Scientific Research: Journals and researchers increasingly use Creative Commons to share research papers for broader dissemination.
Historical Context
Creative Commons was founded in 2001 by Lawrence Lessig, Hal Abelson, and Eric Eldred with the primary goal of expanding the range of creative works available for others to legally build upon and share. The initial suite of Creative Commons licenses was launched in 2002, and it has since seen adoption by millions of creators worldwide.
Applicability
Creative Commons licenses are applicable across mediums and disciplines, from music and literature to education and scientific research. They support a movement towards open access and collaborative culture in digital environments.
Comparisons
Creative Commons vs. Traditional Copyright
Traditional copyright grants exclusive rights to the creator, requiring others to seek permission for most uses. In contrast, Creative Commons licenses predefine how others may use the work, thus simplifying and facilitating its sharing and reuse.
Creative Commons vs. Open Source Software Licenses
While Creative Commons licenses apply broadly to creative works, open-source licenses (like GPL) are specifically designed for software, focusing on code accessibility and modification rights.
Related Terms
- Public Domain: Works that are not protected by copyright and can be freely used by everyone.
- Open Access: The practice of providing unrestricted access to peer-reviewed scholarly research.
- Fair Use: A doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a Creative Commons license be revoked?
No, once a Creative Commons license is applied, it is irrevocable. However, the creator may stop distributing their work under the CC license.
Are Creative Commons licenses enforceable in court?
Yes, Creative Commons licenses are legally enforceable and have been upheld in courts around the world.
Do I still own my work if I use a Creative Commons license?
Yes, you retain ownership of your work but grant specific permissions for use as outlined in the license terms.
References
- Creative Commons. (n.d.). About the Licenses. Retrieved from https://creativecommons.org/licenses/
- Lessig, L. (2004). Free Culture: How Big Media Uses Technology and the Law to Lock Down Culture and Control Creativity. Penguin Press.
Summary
Creative Commons licenses offer a flexible and legally sound way for creators to share their work while maintaining certain rights. By understanding and utilizing these licenses, creators can contribute to a more open and collaborative cultural ecosystem, benefiting society at large while protecting their personal interests.
