Creative Commons licenses build on copyright. By applying a Creative Commons (CC) license, creators grant permission to everyone in the world to use their work in certain ways—without needing to ask—as long as the conditions are followed.
🎥 Watch: Creative Commons: What Every Educator Needs to Know
💡 Tip: All CC licenses require attribution. The specific terms vary by license, so always check the icons and conditions listed on the work
Creative Commons licenses combine four elements to create six standard license types that vary in openness. These license types let users know what they can and can't do with a work.
💡 Tip: These elements combine into six licenses, ranging from the most permissive (CC BY) to the most restrictive (CC BY-NC-ND).
How to Read a License
Want to apply a Creative Commons license to your own work?
The Creative Commons License Chooser helps you:
🌐 Launch the Creative Commons License Chooser
💡 Tip: Licensing your own materials, like syllabi, handouts, or videos, makes it easier to share with others while keeping credit and conditions intact.
Looking for CC-licensed media or open content? These tools and guides can help you get started:
💡 Tip: Most OERs use CC licenses. Learn more on our Open Educational Resources page.
Have questions about Creative Commons, open licensing, or how to use CC content in your course?
We’re here to help! You can: