CC License Options

The four elements of Creative Commons License

Each CC license is made up of one or more of four license elements: Attribution (BY), Share Alike (SA), Non Commercial (NC) and Non Derivatives (ND).

Anatomy of a CC License by Rie Namba, licensed CC BY 4.0

The four elements above can be combined to make up six different licensing options. Note that all CC licenses require attribution, but otherwise the license elements can be combined to allow for or restrict various activities, such as commercial use or adaptation.

The six CC license and Public Domain

Diagram from How To Attribute Creative Commons Photos by Foter, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0

Attribution (CC BY)

CC BY: This license allows 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.

Attribution Share Alike (CC BY-SA)

CC BY-SA: This license allows 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.

Attribution Non-Commercial (CC BY-NC)

CC BY-NC: This license allows 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.

Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike (CC BY-NC-SA)

CC BY-NC-SA: This license allows 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.

Attribution No-Derivatives (CC BY-ND)

CC BY-ND: This license allows 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.

Attribution Non-Commercial No-Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND)

CC BY-NC-ND: This license allows 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.

Public Domain

CC0 (aka CC Zero) is a public dedication tool, which allows creators to give up their copyright and put their works into the worldwide public domain. CC0 allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, with no conditions.