Introduction
Here is an overview of Creative Commons. Creative Commons is a new type of copyright where creators can produce works then choose how much or little it can be changed. Below is a listing of the various licenses you can choose for your works with links. These are important to know for two reasons.
- If you are creating works you will need to create a license for the work. Go to Creative Commons- Choose a License to build your own
- If you are searching through OER to use you will need to know what the creative commons licenses mean so you know what you are allowed and not allowed to do. For example some works may let you change all of the work (just give credit) while others are only free to share but cannot be changed.
If you have any questions about Creative Commons or these licenses please reach out to our staff at the Moorpark College Library. All of the librarians are copyright experts and can assist you.
What types of licenses are OER?
Which licenses are OER?
Creative Commons OER
There are various types of Creative Commons Licenses (see to the right for the list) and each allows protections for creators while allowing for reusing, adapting and collaboration. The first 4 licenses CC By, CC BY-SA, CC BY-NC and CC BY-NC-SA are all considered licenses that promote OER because the work can still be changed.
Creative Commons Not OER
The final two CC BY-ND and CC BY-NC-ND are technically not considered OER because they do not allow for changes to be made in any form. The works can just be shared as they are.
Types of Creative Commons Licenses Video
List of Creative Commons Licenses
The Creative Commons License Options
There are six different license types, listed from most to least permissive here:
CC BY: This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use.
CC BY includes the following elements:
BY 
– Credit must be given to the creator
CC BY-SA: This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under identical terms.
CC BY-SA includes the following elements:
BY – Credit must be given to the creator
SA 
– Adaptations must be shared under the same terms
CC BY-NC: This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
It includes the following elements:
BY – Credit must be given to the creator
NC 
– Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted
CC BY-NC-SA: This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under identical terms.
CC BY-NC-SA includes the following elements:
BY – Credit must be given to the creator
NC – Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted
SA – Adaptations must be shared under the same terms
CC BY-ND: This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use.
CC BY-ND includes the following elements:
BY – Credit must be given to the creator
ND 
– No derivatives or adaptations of the work are permitted
CC BY-NC-ND: This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
CC BY-NC-ND includes the following elements:
BY – Credit must be given to the creator
NC – Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted
ND – No derivatives or adaptations of the work are permitted
The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication
CC0 (aka CC Zero) is a public dedication tool, which allows creators to give up their copyright and put their works into the worldwide public domain. CC0 allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, with no conditions.