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Copyright questions answered along with tips for compliance and resources for future research

What is Creative Commons?


Creative Commons (CC) licensing allow creators to share their work freely and stipulate their own limitations and requirements for use.

Recognize Creative Commons Copyright Symbols


Licensing Types & Conditions - Creative Commons

Creators choose a set of conditions they wish to apply to their work.

Attribution (BY)

All CC licenses require that others who use your work in any way must give you credit the way you request, but not in a way that suggests you endorse them or their use. If they want to use your work without giving you credit or for endorsement purposes, they must get your permission.

 BY: credit must be given to the creator.

Share Alike (SA)

You let others copy, distribute, display, perform, and modify your work, as long as they distribute any modified work on the same terms. If they want to distribute modified works under other terms, they must get your permission first.

 BY: credit must be given to the creator.
 SA: Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.

Non-Commercial (NC)

You let others copy, distribute, display, perform, and (unless you have chosen NoDerivatives) modify and use your work for any purpose other than commercially unless they get your permission first.

 BY: credit must be given to the creator.
 NC: Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted.

No Derivatives (ND)

You let others copy, distribute, display and perform only original copies of your work. If they want to modify your work, they must get your permission first.

 BY: credit must be given to the creator.
 ND: No derivatives or adaptations of the work are permitted.

 

Which CC-licensed material can be remixed?


"The chart below shows which CC-licensed material can be remixed. To use the chart, find a license on the left column and on the top-right row. If there is a checkmark in the box where that row and column intersect, then the works can be remixed. If there is an “X” in the box, then the works may not be remixed unless an exception or limitation applies." -- Creative Commons FAQ

cc-licensing-compatibility

Image Source: Creative Commons Frequently Asked Questions