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What is Creative Commons (CC)?
Creative Commons (CC) is a non-profit organization that provides a flexible copyright licensing system. It was founded in 2001 by a group of legal scholars, advocates, and activists who recognized the need for a more permissive approach to copyright.
Traditional copyright laws grant exclusive rights to creators, allowing them to control how their works are used and shared. However, this can often hinder the free flow of information, creativity, and collaboration. Creative Commons licenses offer an alternative to “all rights reserved” copyright, allowing creators to choose the permissions they want to grant to others.
Overview of the Flexible Copyright Licensing System
Creative Commons licenses enable creators to retain their copyrights while allowing others to use, share, and build upon their works. These licenses are easy to understand, written in plain language, and are applicable to various types of creative works, such as text, images, music, and videos.
The core idea behind Creative Commons licenses is to offer a range of permissions that creators can choose from, depending on their desired level of control. These permissions include:
Attribution (BY): This license allows others to distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon the original work, even for commercial purposes, as long as they give appropriate credit to the original creator.
Share alike (SA): This license allows others to distribute derivative works under a license identical to the one applied to the original work. It ensures that subsequent users of the adapted work also share their creations under the same license.
NonCommercial (NC): This license allows others to use, remix, tweak, and build upon the original work, but not for commercial purposes. It prohibits the use of the work in any way that generates profit.
NoDerivs (ND): This license allows others to redistribute the original work, in whole or in part, unchanged and without creating any derivative works.
By choosing one or a combination of these licenses, creators can define the extent to which they want to allow others to use and modify their works. This flexibility encourages collaboration, innovation, and the development of a vibrant public commons.
In conclusion, Creative Commons provides a valuable and flexible copyright licensing system that empowers creators while promoting the sharing and adaptation of creative works. It offers an alternative to traditional copyright, fostering a culture of openness, collaboration, and innovation in the digital age.
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