Creative Commons (CC) is an alternative to traditional copyrights. It efficiently lets others know that you give blanket permission for your creation to be used in certain ways. But there are seven types of licenses. Which one works for you?

The best Creative Commons license for your project depends on:

  • Will you credit the authors?

  • Can release it with particular permissions?

  • Will you use the piece as a whole or will you crop it, remix it, or use it in another derivative work?

  • Will your project be released commercially?

All information in this Byte comes from the CC website.

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Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication

A piece marked CC0 has been released into the public domain. You can use it without restriction.

  • You do not need to credit the authors.

  • You do not need to release it with particular permissions.

  • You can use it in whole or in derivative works.

  • You can use this in commercial works.

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Quiz

You found a great photo marked CC0 of a forest canopy. You want to use it in a collage you're commissioned to design. How can you use this photo?

Attribution And Attribution - Sharealike Licenses

CC-BY requires you to attribute the original creator of the media you're going to use.

  • You do need to credit the authors.

  • You do not need to release it with particular permissions.

  • You can use it in whole or in derivative works.

  • You can use this in commercial works.

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CC-BY-SA requires you to attribute the original creator of the media you're going to use. You must also distribute any work you create using the media as CC-BY-SA.

  • You do need to credit the authors.

  • You do need to release it with particular permissions, specifically also as a CC-BY-SA licensed piece of media.

  • You can use it in whole or in derivative works.

  • You can use this in commercial works.

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Quiz

You want to use an excerpt of the song labeled CC-BY in your free podcast. But because you're only using a small part and mixing it with others, you don't want to take the time to name the creator. Is that ok?

Attributions - Noncommercial And Attributions - Noncommercial - Sharealike Licenses

CC-BY-NC requires you to attribute the original creator of the media you're going to use. You may not use this media in any commercial work.

  • You do need to credit the authors.

  • You do not need to release it with particular permissions.

  • You can use it in whole or in derivative works.

  • You cannot use this in commercial works.

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CC-BY-NC-SA requires you to attribute the original creator of the media you're going to use. You may not use this media in any commercial work. Also, you must share your new creation with a CC-BY-NC-SA license.

  • You do need to credit the authors.

  • You do need to release it with particular permissions, specifically with a CC-BY-NC-SA license.

  • You can use it in whole or in derivative works.

  • You cannot use this in commercial works.

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Quiz

You are putting together an ad campaign for your new product. You want to include an image that is published with a CC-BY-NC-SA license. Is that ok?

Attribution - Noderivs And Attribution - Noncommerical - Noderives Licenses

CC-BY-ND requires you to attribute the original creator of the media you're going to use. You may not edit this media, such as cropping an image, remixing audio, or taking a clip from a larger video file.

  • You do need to credit the authors.

  • You do not need to release it with particular permissions.

  • You cannot useit in derivative works.

  • You can use this in commercial works.

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CC-BY-NC-ND requires you to attribute the original creator of the media you're going to use. You cannot use this in a commercial piece. Also, you may not edit this media, such as cropping an image, remixing audio, or taking a clip from a larger video file.

  • You do need to credit the authors.

  • You do not need to release it with particular permissions.

  • You cannot useit in derivative works.

  • You cannot use this in commercial works.

Byte Author Uploaded Image

Byte Author Uploaded Image

Quiz

You found an awesome song with a BY-NC-ND license, and want to use a clip of it as the outro to your exclusive podcast that your patreon members pay for. You don't think it's worth taking recording time to name the artist. Why can't you do this?

Take Action

Now that you can differentiate between the different Creative Commons licenses, you'll be able to choose which licensed media fit your project best. This week, look for websites that specialize in hosting CC licensed media for others to share. Also, you can release one of your own creations with the appropriate CC license.

License:

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