How to Use Creative Commons Licenses

Collections of content exist when multiple works a redistributed together in a shared space (digital or physical) but each part can still be separated from the whole and contains its own individual attribution. In collections, licenses may differ and need not be compatible as long as each is given attribution separately. Some examples are:

• An anthology of CC licensed and public domain short stories 
• A slide presentation deck with multiple images that are CC licensed
• A page like this one (Click to see example collection)

Creating a collection can be a creative work in itself, so it is ok to apply a license to a collection (like I have on this page), especially if the arrangement and any added material makes the collection especially unique. Keep in mind, it is not required that all licenses be “compatible” in the same way that it is for remixes and derivative works, but creators of collections should be mindful of the non-commercial restriction if creating a collection for commercial purposes. Non-commercial collections can be licensed under any CC license or public domain dedication.

Note: A list of links or bibliography is not necessarily a collection, as nothing is retained or redistributed.

Remixes, derivatives, or adaptations are where elements from different sources have been changed significantly enough that the new work itself is subject to copyright. This can be a challenge to interpret, but remixes Some examples of remixes are:

• A composite photo containing photographic elements from other sources
• A song that samples another song
• A poem with the stanzas rearranged and new lines added

With these types of works it is important that the licenses from CC licensed works are compatible if the remixer wants to share the work under a new Creative Commons license. Works that are remixed still need to be properly attributed unless being used under fair use or other copyright exception, or public domain. See the chart below for license compatibility. A green check in the box where the column of one license and the row of another license meet means they are compatible, and the x means they are not compatible.

Once a creator knows their source materials have compatible licenses, they must choose a compatible license. Take a look at this chart to see which license can be chosen. Green corresponds to an appropriate license, yellow to licenses that may chosen but are not recommended by Creative Commons, and gray is licenses that should not be chosen.