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English 102: College Writing (Prof. Ivanova): Creative Commons

What to Know Before Using Videos/Images/Sound

Creative Commons Logo

Avoid violating copyright by using media from the websites listed here. Some of the images, videos, and sound files have a Creative Commons license. These licenses allow you to use an image for free but tell you the rules you must follow.

Here are the creative commons licenses (rules) you're most likely to see:

Attribution:creative commons attribution

    • You can copy, share, display, and perform the copyrighted work and derivative works based upon it. You must give credit or cite it.
    • In your attribution, use CC-BY-4.0

creative commons non-commercial

Noncommercial:

    • You can copy, share, display, and perform the work and derivative works based upon it.
    • You cannot use it to make money (commercial use).
    • You can use it for coursework.
    • In your attribution, use CC BY-NC

creative commons no derivativesNo Derivative Works:

    • You can copy, share, display, and perform only exact copies of the work.
    • You cannot change or edit the image in any way.
    • In your attribution, use CC BY-ND

creative commons share alikeShare Alike:

    • You can share derivative works only under a license identical to the license of the original work.
    • In your attribution, use CC BY-SA

What is a derivative work?

  • If you use part or all of an existing literary or art work to create something new, your new work is derivative. Examples: new translations, musical arrangements, edited images, and adaptations of a literary works. Read more.

Even if you do not see a Creative Commons license logo, it is always a good idea to give credit to the person who created the video/image/sound file.

Example for Giving Credit (Attribution)

Cite images, tables, and artistic works as you would cite any other type of work.

In addition, images generally include a caption that with copyright information and a statement of permission for use. Please check with your instructor regarding additional expectations.

See the Creative Commons Best Practices for Attribution wiki for examples.

All CC attributions should contain the same basic information:

  • "Title of image"
  • Creator name (link to creator's profile page)
  • Source of the image (linked)
  • CC licence (linked)

Here is an example of attribution (credit) of an image used in an online class project following Creative Commons guidelines.

clothing dyes - sample image

"Clothing Dyes" by Dey (CC BY NC-SA)

If this were in print, provide the URL to the original image, like this:

"Clothing Dyes" (2004) https://www.flickr.com/photos/dey/2864013 (CC BY NC-SA)