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Copyright Basics and Beyond: Creative Commons Licensed

What is Creative Commons?

Creative Commons (CC) is a non-profit organization created to facilitate the sharing and use of creative works. Under the CC system, creators tell other people how their works can be used by marking it with a CC license. It is important to note that not all Creative Commons licenses are the same - both the CC symbols and the licenses are explained in more detail below. In its recent Creative Commons Annual Report (2024), Creative Commons estimates that there are nearly 2 billion Creative Commons licenses in use worldwide.

As you choose which CC-licensed materials to use, note that:

  • 3 licenses prohibit commercial uses (BY-NC, BY-NC-ND, BY-NC-SA)
  • 2 licenses prohibit the sharing of adaptations (BY-ND, BY-NC-ND)
  • 2 licenses require adaptations be licensed under the same license (BY-SA, BY-NC-SA)

Creative Commons Symbols

Below is a brief explanation of each of the four symbols used in CC licenses. There are six different CC license options that are formed by selecting one or more of these license restrictions.

Creative Commons attribution icon

Attribution
All CC licenses require full attribution to the creator of the work. The attribution should include the title of the work, the creator, a link to the source of the work, and the license associated with the work. Read more about attribution on the CC Wiki.

Creative Commons Non-commercial icon

Non-Commercial
Works with the non-commercial designation may not be used for commercial purposes, which Creative Commons defines as "primarily intended for or directed toward commercial advantage or monetary compensation." Read more about what constitutes a noncommercial use on the CC Wiki.

Creative Commons Share Alike icon

Share Alike
If you remix, transform, or build upon the material in a CC-licensed work with the "Share Alike" symbol, your new work must be licensed under the same license or a compatible license. Read more about what constitutes a compatible license on the CC Wiki.

Creative Commons No Derivatives icon

No Derivatives
If you adapt, remix, transform, or build upon material in a CC-licensed work with the "No Derivatives" symbol, you may not distribute the modified material. Read more about what is considered an adaption on the CC Wiki.

Learn More

Six Types of Creative Commons Licenses

Below is a description of each of the six CC licenses listed in order from the most open license to the most restrictive license.

Creative Commons CC BY badge

CC BY - Attribution

  • This is the least restrictive of the Creative Commons licenses.
  • You can copy and redistribute CC BY materials in any medium or format and adapt, remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, including commercial.
  • You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
  • View the complete details of the CC BY license from Creative Commons.

Creative Commons CC BY-SA badge

CC BY-SA - Share Alike

  • You can copy and redistribute CC BY-SA materials in any medium or format and adapt, remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, including commercial.
  • You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
  • If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your new work under the same license as the original work or a compatible license.
  • View the complete details of the CC BY-SA license from Creative Commons.

Creative Commons CC BY-ND badge

CC BY-ND - No Derivatives

  • You can copy and redistribute CC BY-ND materials in any medium or format for any purpose, including commercial.
  • You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
  • If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
  • View the complete details of the CC BY-ND license from Creative Commons.

Creative Commons CC BY-NC badge

CC BY-NC - Non-Commercial

  • You can copy and redistribute CC BY-NC materials in any medium or format and adapt, remix, transform, and build upon the material.
  • You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
  • You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
  • View the complete details of the CC BY-NC license from Creative Commons.

Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA badge

CC BY-NC-SA - Non-Commercial, Share Alike

  • You can copy and redistribute CC BY-NC-SA materials in any medium or format and adapt, remix, transform, and build upon the material.
  • You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
  • You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
  • If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your new work under the same license as the original work or a compatible license.
  • View the complete details of the CC BY-NC-SA license from Creative Commons.

Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND badge

CC BY-NC-ND - Non-Commercial, No Derivatives

  • You can copy and redistribute CC BY-NC-ND materials in any medium or format.
  • You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
  • You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
  • If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
  • View the complete details of the CC BY-NC-ND license from Creative Commons.

Disclaimer & CC License

Information contained on this website is educational in nature and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Creative Commons
This guide was originally designed by Georgetown University Library under Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License.