When publishing, you will encounter different types of licenses that govern the use of content. Creative Commons licenses and public domain are two common examples of such licenses. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of Creative Commons licenses and what they allow, as well as what it means for licensing additional content to use with your work (i.e. cover images, graphics, etc.) and other content to be in the public domain.
Creative Commons Licenses
Creative Commons (CC) is a non-profit organization that provides a set of licenses that creators can use to grant permission to others to use their content. These licenses are designed to make it easier for creators to share their work while still retaining some control over how it’s used. There are six different types of Creative Commons licenses, each with its own set of conditions:
- CC BY (Attribution): This license allows others to use, distribute, and modify the work, as long as they give credit to the original creator.
- CC BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike): This license allows others to use, distribute, and modify the work, as long as they give credit to the original creator and release any derivative works under the same license.
- CC BY-ND (Attribution-NoDerivs): This license allows others to use and distribute the work, as long as they give credit to the original creator and do not make any changes to it.
- CC BY-NC (Attribution-NonCommercial): This license allows others to use, distribute, and modify the work for non-commercial purposes, as long as they give credit to the original creator.
- CC BY-NC-SA (Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike): This license allows others to use, distribute, and modify the work for non-commercial purposes, as long as they give credit to the original creator and release any derivative works under the same license.
- CC BY-NC-ND (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs): This license allows others to use and distribute the work for non-commercial purposes, as long as they give credit to the original creator and do not make any changes to it.
Each of these licenses is represented by a symbol that can be added to the content to indicate which license applies.
The chart below shows the different licenses and what rights apply to each one.
| CC LICENSES | Copy & Publish | Attribution Required | Commercial Use | Modify & Adapt | Change License |
| CC BY | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BY-SA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| BY-ND | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| BY-NC | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| BY-NC-SA | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| BY-NC-ND | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Public Domain | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Public Domain
Content that is in the public domain is not protected by copyright, meaning it can be used freely by anyone without permission. This includes works whose copyright has expired, works that were never protected by copyright, and works that have been released into the public domain by their creators. In general, works enter the public domain when their copyright expires, which typically occurs a certain number of years after the creator’s death.
There are a few important things to keep in mind when using content that is in the public domain. While you don’t need to obtain permission to use the content, you should still be aware of any applicable laws or regulations. Additionally, some public domain works may have been updated or revised, so it’s important to ensure that you’re using the most up-to-date version of the work. To view a list of countries and their rules for public domain, read our article about Public Domain Rules in Different Countries. If you are interested in arranging music by another composer, it is always good to check to see if it is in public domain in all countries before publishing.
Creative Commons licenses and public domain are two important concepts that can help creators and users of content to navigate the complex landscape of intellectual property law. By understanding the different types of Creative Commons licenses and what they allow, as well as what it means for content to be in the public domain, we can make informed decisions about how to share and use creative works. Whether you’re a creator looking to share your work, or a user looking to use someone else’s work, it’s important to consider the applicable licenses and regulations before doing so.