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Creative Commons Unclaimed

Nonprofit Organizations

creativecommons.org

Mountain View, California, United States

Creative Commons is an international nonprofit that enables open sharing of education, culture, and science through licenses and open infrastructure.

Creative Commons is an international nonprofit organization that empowers people to grow and sustain the thriving commons of shared knowledge and culture we need to address the world's most pressing challenges and create a brighter future for all. It provides licenses and public-domain tools that give every person and organization in the world a free, simple, and standardized way to grant copyright permissions, ensure attribution, and enable others to copy, distribute, and reuse works. The organization works to strengthen the open infrastructure of sharing and defends a thriving creative commons by supporting open education, open culture, and open science through policy, licensing, and advocacy that serves the public interest.

CC empowers individuals and communities around the world through technical, legal, and policy solutions that enable the sharing of education, culture, and science in the public interest.

What we offer

Creative Commons licenses

Empower creative sharing with flexible permissions and attribution requirements.

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Public Domain Mark

Enables the use of works free from copyright restrictions.

creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

CC0 Public Domain Dedication

Empowers creators to place works in the public domain for unrestricted reuse.

creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CC Certificate Program

Service

Gain expertise in Creative Commons licenses and their applications.

creativecommons.org/about/cc-certificate-program/

CC Open Culture Program

Service

Empowers cultural heritage institutions to develop and sustain open culture.

creativecommons.org/category/open-culture/

CC Open Education Program

Service

Ensure Public Access To Educational Resources.

creativecommons.org/category/open-education/

CC Open Science

Service

Empowers scientists with open access to research and collaborative opportunities.

creativecommons.org/category/open-knowledge/open-science/

Open Preprints

Facilitates Open Sharing and Reuse of Research Findings.

creativecommons.org/about/open-science/open-preprints/

Open Climate Data

Facilitates access to climate data for research and collaboration.

creativecommons.org/open-climate-data

CC Global Summit

Service

A platform for global discussions on open licensing and access.

summit.creativecommons.org/

CC Signals

Empowers content creators to control how their works are utilized in AI while ensuring recognition and sustainable practices.

creativecommons.org/ai-and-the-commons/cc-signals/

Market segments

Open licensing and rights frameworks

Standardized copyright licenses, public-domain dedications, and marking systems that enable clear legal terms for reuse, attribution, and unrestricted public-domain designation.

Open education and OER advocacy

Programs and advocacy that promote openly licensed educational resources, policies to make publicly funded knowledge accessible, and partnerships among educational institutions.

Open science and research dissemination

Initiatives that increase accessibility and reuse of research through open preprints, open datasets, and domain-specific open data efforts to support collaboration and reproducibility.

Cultural heritage openness and GLAM collaboration

Support and resources for galleries, libraries, archives, and museums to open collections, clarify rights, and collaborate with communities to enable reuse of cultural heritage.

AI content governance and training data signals

Frameworks and normative/technical signals that let content stewards express preferences and conditions for the use of their works in AI training and related automated uses.

Licensing education and capacity building

Certification, courses, and interactive learning to build expertise in open licensing, legal considerations, and stewardship of openly licensed content.

More information about our offering

Creative Commons licenses

Creative Commons licenses are a suite of free, standardized licenses that let creators grant permission to copy, distribute, remix, adapt, and share works with attribution. They provide a simple, global framework to define how works may be used under clearly stated terms.

  • Ensure Proper Credit
    By requiring attribution, the licenses ensure that creators receive recognition for their contributions while allowing others to use their works.
  • Standardize Usage Terms
    These licenses provide a consistent way for creators to outline how their works can be utilized, enhancing understanding and compliance.
  • Encourage Creativity and Innovation
    By permitting modifications and adaptations, these licenses foster a vibrant ecosystem of creativity and collaborative growth.
  • Facilitate Global Sharing
    These licenses transcend borders, enabling creators from diverse backgrounds to share and collaborate across different cultures and jurisdictions.
  • Free to Use Without Restrictions
    By dedicating works to the public domain, creators enable unrestricted access, use, and sharing of their materials by anyone.

Public Domain Mark

Public Domain Mark identifies works that are free of known copyright restrictions, enabling copying, modification, distribution, and use without permission.

  • Identifies Works As Public Domain
    This feature provides clear identification of works that are free of copyright, ensuring that users understand they can freely use these works.
  • Allow Unrestricted Use
    Users can freely utilize works in any manner, whether for personal, educational, or commercial purposes, removing barriers to access and reuse.
  • Applicable Globally
    The Public Domain Mark can be recognized and applied globally, enhancing the reach of public domain works across different legal systems.

CC0 Public Domain Dedication

CC0 is a public-domain dedication that allows creators to waive their rights and place works in the public domain, enabling broad reuse with no conditions.

  • Facilitates Unlimited Use
    Enables broad use of works in any medium or format for any purpose without restrictions.
  • Allows Use Without Attribution
    Users can engage with the work freely without needing to credit the creator.
  • Eliminates Copyright Restrictions
    Ensures that works are free from copyright, maximizing accessibility and reuse.

CC Certificate Program

An in-depth course for people interested in becoming CC license experts who can create and engage with openly licensed works.

  • Receive Official Certification
    Completing the CC Certificate Program grants you an official certificate, recognizing your expertise in Creative Commons licensing.
  • Master CC Licenses
    Explore a comprehensive curriculum that equips you with thorough knowledge of CC licenses, their applications, and important licensing considerations.
  • Participate Actively
    The program fosters an interactive learning environment where participants can engage in discussions and collaborate on projects, enhancing the educational experience.
  • Utilize Extensive Resources
    Participants benefit from access to a wealth of resources, including course materials, additional content, and translations to support diverse learners.
  • Learn in Your Language
    The program is accessible globally, with materials available in various languages to ensure that learners can engage with content in their preferred language.

CC Open Culture Program

Program to support the development of a thriving open culture ecosystem among cultural heritage institutions and their users.

  • Enhances Resource Sharing
    Facilitates collaboration and fosters a vibrant shared culture among various institutions.
  • Promotes Open Access
    Supports initiatives to make cultural heritage resources openly accessible for educational and creative use.
  • Builds Global Networks
    Encourages cooperation and knowledge exchange across countries and communities.

CC Open Education Program

Open Education Program to ensure publicly funded knowledge is open and freely available for everyone to learn, discover and contribute.

  • Enhance Educational Opportunities
    Provides universally accessible, openly licensed educational materials that empower learners and educators to meet diverse educational needs.
  • Foster Community Engagement
    Engages individuals and communities in the sharing and enhancement of open educational resources, strengthening the global learning ecosystem.
  • Empower Global Dialogue
    Enables cross-border collaboration and sharing of best practices in open education, enhancing resource accessibility and educational quality globally.

CC Open Science

Open Science program to promote openness in science, including Open Preprints and Open Climate Data. This initiative fosters equitable access to research and encourages collaboration across scientific communities.

  • Enhances Research Reusability
    This initiative encourages researchers to share their findings openly, thereby improving transparency, allowing for collaboration, and expediting scientific progress.
  • Facilitates Climate Research Access
    By providing open climate data, this initiative enables researchers and organizations to engage in actionable climate research, fostering collaboration and innovation.
  • Promotes Open Research Practices
    By advocating for open access to scientific materials, this initiative ensures broader public engagement and participation in scientific discovery.
  • Addresses Ethical AI Use
    CC Signals fosters responsible AI practices by empowering creators to protect their contributions while still encouraging innovation and collaboration.

Open Preprints

Openly licensed preprints project to increase the adoption of CC-BY on preprints to facilitate greater dissemination and reuse of research.

  • Promotes Creative Commons Licensing
    By adopting CC-BY licensing, researchers enable others to freely share and reuse their findings, enhancing collaboration and knowledge dissemination.
  • Enables Early Access to Findings
    Allows researchers to share their work with the community before peer review, fostering early feedback and collaboration.
  • Empowers Researchers with Tools
    Provides resources and guidance to help researchers effectively utilize CC licenses for their preprints.
  • Boosts Research Discoverability
    By sharing preprints openly, researchers increase their work's reach and impact within the academic community and beyond.

Open Climate Data

Open climate datasets and data models to facilitate openness and collaboration in climate research.

  • Provides Open Access To Data
    Ensures extensive availability of climate data to researchers, enabling better analysis and decision-making in climate studies.
  • Facilitates Collaborative Research
    Encourages partnerships in climate science by allowing researchers to access and share data freely, fostering innovation.

CC Global Summit

An international event bringing together educators, artists, technologists, legal experts, and activists to promote open licensing and global access.

  • Advocates for Transparency
    Supports and raises awareness on the importance of open licensing to the global community.
  • Connects Diverse Voices
    Encourages a multidisciplinary approach to open licensing issues.
  • Engages Participants Internationally
    Fosters collaboration and idea sharing through an annual gathering.

CC Signals

CC signals are a framework to help content stewards express how they want their works used in AI development, emphasizing reciprocity, recognition, and sustainability.

  • Encourages Fair Use
    Promotes a fair exchange of value between creators and AI developers, fostering a balanced digital commons.
  • Tests Practical Applications
    Evaluates practical applications and effectiveness in real-world scenarios to refine the framework.
  • Supports Diverse Needs
    Facilitates the adaptation of standards and norms to cater to various stakeholders and contexts.
  • Streamlines Licensing
    Bridges the gap between traditional licensing and modern digital content needs, ensuring flexible and clear permissions.
  • Fosters Collaboration
    Encourages community feedback and participation, enhancing the framework's relevance and applicability.