What is Creative Commons?

Posted by plagly

As a content creator using Plagly tools, you need to increase awareness of your work and name, but also want to protect your work from plagiarism and your name from being discredited. Alternatively, as a user of published work, you need to make sure that you are using it only as the writer intended.

In both cases, a better understanding of Creative Commons (“CC”) licensing will help you.  Following are brief descriptions, and some pros and cons, of each type of CC license.

Creative Commons (“CC”) licensing

Attribution

User can distribute, modify and sell your work. You must be credited. User can choose a different CC license.

Pros

  • Derivative works are popular, so you may increase market exposure.
  • More likely to be used and distributed because work can be sold and user can choose license.
  • Can be used professionally or in a broadcast.

Cons

  • If the user selects a tighter license there may be less “free advertising” value.
  • Changes allowed, so work may lose integrity and re-works could discredit you.
  • You may not be paid for commercial use.

Attribution Share Alike

User can distribute, modify and sell your work. You must be credited. User cannot choose a different CC license.

Pros

  • Derivative works are popular, so you may increase market exposure.
  • More likely to be used and distributed because work can be sold.

Cons

  • If you’re unsure how you want to use your work, you may limit future options.
  • You may not be paid for commercial use.
  • Changes allowed, so work may lose integrity and re-works could discredit you.

Attribution No Derivatives

User can distribute and sell – but not modify – your work as long as you are credited.

Pros

  • Changes not allowed, so work won’t lose integrity and re-works won’t discredit you.
  • Can be used professionally or in a broadcast.

Cons

  • Derivative works are popular, so you may miss opportunities to increase market exposure.
  • If you’re unsure how you want to use your work, you may limit future options.
  • You may not be paid for commercial use.

Attribution Non-commercial

User can distribute and modify – but not sell – you work as long as you are credited. User can choose a different CC license.

Pros

  • Derivative works are popular, so you may increase market exposure.
  • More likely to be used and distributed because work can be sold and user can choose license.
  • People cannot sell anything containing your work without paying for it.

Cons

  • You won’t be able to make money on your work in the future.
  • If you are not sure how you want to use your work, it may limit your future options.
  • If the user selects a tighter license, they may limit “free advertising” value.
  • Changes allowed, so work may lose integrity and re-works could discredit you.

Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike

User can distribute and modify – but not sell – your work as long as you are credited. User cannot choose a different CC license.

Pros

  • Derivative works are popular, possibly increasing market exposure.

Cons

  • You won’t be able to make money on your work in the future.
  • If you are not sure how you want to use your work, it will limit your options.

Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives

User can distribute – but not modify or sell – your work as long as you are credited. The user must use the same license.

Pros

  • Changes not allowed, so work won’t lose integrity and re-works won’t discredit you.
  • People cannot sell anything containing your work without paying for it.

Cons

  • Derivative works are popular, so you may lose chances to increase market exposure.
  • You won’t be able to make money on your work in the future.
  • If you are not sure how you want to use your work, it will limit your options.

Public Domain

No restrictions: User can distribute, modify or sell your work and does not have to credit you. Use only for work that is already in the public domain.

Pros

  • Your work will remain in the public domain after you are gone.
  • Credit sometimes given even though not required.
  • Work more likely to be used and distributed because it can be modified and sold.

Cons

  • Not recommended by CC.
  • Credit not required.
  • Loss of control of work.
  • You won’t make money directly from the work.

You will want to consider each option carefully before making your decision. As well, your work will need to identify the license you choose. Creative Commons, at creativecommons.org, provides additional details as well as online selection tools and the appropriate text and logo for each type of license.

References & works cited

Rein, Lisa. “Creative Commons Licenses: Pros and Cons of Each.” Lisarein.com.
“Licenses – Creative Commons.” Creativecommons.org

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