Creative Commons (CC) is a globally recognized copyright licensing system dedicated to providing free public licenses for software, music, images, videos, texts, and other works that have been created by an artist. Creative Commons is an alternative way for an artist to manage their copyright instead of relying on more restrictive traditional copyright laws. It offers six basic licenses that individuals and organizations can use to share creative works, and more free, standardized ways to easily tag and label digital works with the appropriate licenses.
Creative Commons works by allowing copyright creators to license their works to the public for free use and reuse without the need for permission or payment. When the user creates a piece of work, they can give away the copyright rights to the public and stipulate what can and cannot be done with the work. This ensures that the public can benefit from their efforts, while ensuring the creator stays in control of their work and avoids becoming a victim of plagiarism.
CC’s six licenses can be modified depending on the situation, allowing creators to control how their works will be used and shared. They provide a range of options from allowing only private, non-commercial use, to permitting all commercial derived works.
While Creative Commons licenses have helped develop an open source movement, allowing software engineers and other skilled innovative minds to work collaboratively and freely to create amazing new works, it is not a perfect solution. Because Creative Commons licenses are not governed by international law, many copyright issues, such as international recognition of rights, ownership of derivative works, and potential abuse while using the license can still exist.
Creative Commons has been used by millions of individuals, businesses, and organizations since its inception, including schools and colleges as well as political movements and independent creators. It has become an important tool for encouraging collaboration and creativity around the world.
