Established in 2002, the CC licenses make it possible for everyone around the world to share knowledge, creativity, and culture, legally and freely.
Giving you the tools for open sharing of knowledge, cultures, and creativity
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CC's Flagship Legal Tool Driving Contributions to the Commons
CC licenses are a global digital public good and part of the essential infrastructure that makes sharing online possible. Today, there are tens of billions of CC-licensed works across the internet, spanning education, science, culture, and art, and more.
Like the public infrastructure we rely on every day, such as roads, clean water systems, public schools, and libraries, the legal and technical infrastructure behind CC licenses requires ongoing maintenance, updates, and support. Unlike most public infrastructure, CC licenses are not funded by taxes or user fees. As a public good, they depend on the support of the community that relies on them.
Become a patron of the commons by donating to Creative Commons
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Why Use a CC License
CC licenses are a global digital public good and part of the essential infrastructure that makes sharing online possible. Today, there are tens of billions of CC-licensed works across the internet, spanning education, science, culture, and art, and more.
Without CC licenses, copyright offers only two extremes: “all rights reserved” or “no rights reserved.” That doesn’t reflect the many ways creators want their work to be shared.
Creative Commons licenses offer a standardized, legally-sound way to grant permission in advance, so that creators can clearly communicate how their work may be used, without negotiating individual permissions every time. This enables access to knowledge by offering a “some rights reserved” option for content that would otherwise be closed off.
Most creators share a basic belief: that knowledge and creativity grow through sharing, not locking it away.
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Sign up for CC's Community NewsletterMore Than a Legal Tool
CC licenses do more than function legally—they express values. The CC icons, now recognized around the world, represent openness, collaboration, and participation. For example, the CC logo is so ubiquitous it is part of the permanent design collection at The Museum of Modern Art in New York.
The CC Licenses
There are six different license types, listed from most to least permissive here:
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CC BY
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use. CC BY includes the following elements:
- BY
- Credit must be given to you, the creator.
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CC BY-SA
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under identical terms. CC BY-SA includes the following elements:
- BY
- Credit must be given to you, the creator.
- SA
- Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.
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CC BY-ND
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. CC BY-NC includes the following elements:
- BY
- Credit must be given to you, the creator.
- ND
- No derivatives or adaptations of your work are permitted.
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CC BY-NC
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under identical terms. CC BY-NC-SA includes the following elements:
- BY
- Credit must be given to you, the creator.
- NC
- Only noncommercial use of your work is permitted. Noncommercial means not primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation.
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CC BY-NC-SA
This license enables reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use. CC BY-ND includes the following elements:
- BY
- Credit must be given to you, the creator.
- NC
- Only noncommercial use of your work is permitted. Noncommercial means not primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation.
- SA
- Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.
-
CC BY-NC-ND
This license enables reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. CC BY-NC-ND includes the following elements:
- BY
- Credit must be given to you, the creator.
- NC
- Only noncommercial use of your work is permitted. Noncommercial means not primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation.
- ND
- No derivatives or adaptations of your work are permitted.
Multilingual Support
The deeds and legal codes of the CC licenses are translated into over XX languages.