What is Creative Commons? Can you use legal free images for your website?
Introduction to Creative Commons
Creative Commons is a non-profit organization that provides an easy and legal way to share creative works online. Founded in 2001, its goal is to foster creativity and shared knowledge around the world.
What is a Creative Commons license?
A Creative Commons license is an agreement between the author and the users that allows the use of his work with certain conditions. Creative Commons licenses are free and can be applied to any kind of work, including photos, music, video, and text.
Types of Creative Commons licenses
There are six types of Creative Commons licenses, ranging from the most restrictive to the most permissive. Here are the available options, listed from most to least permissive:
CC BY
This license allows reusers to redistribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, as long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows commercial use.
CC BY includes the following elements:
BY – Credit must be given to the creator
CC BY-SA
This license allows reusers to redistribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, as long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows commercial use. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under the identical terms.
CC BY-SA includes the following elements:
BY – Credit must be given to the creator
SA – Adaptations must be shared on the same terms
CC BY-NC
This license allows reusers to redistribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for non-commercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution to the creator is granted.
It includes the following elements:
BY – Credit must be given to the creator
NC – Only non-commercial uses of the work are allowed
CC BY-NC-SA
This license allows reusers to redistribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for non-commercial purposes only, and only as long as attribution is given to the creator. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under the identical terms.
CC BY-NC-SA includes the following elements:
BY – Credit must be given to the creator
NC – Only non-commercial uses of the work are allowed
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 as long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows 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 allowed
CC BY-NC-ND
This license permits reusers to copy and distribute the material in any media or format in unadapted form only, for non-commercial purposes only, and only as 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 non-commercial uses of the work
are allowed ND – No derivatives or adaptations of the work are allowed
Dedication to the Creative Commons public domain
CC0
Also known as CC Zero, it is a public dedication tool, which allows creators to relinquish their copyright and put their works into the global public domain. CC0 allows reusers to distribute, mix, adapt, and build on the material in any medium or format, without strings attached.
How to Find Free Creative Commons Licensed Images
There are many ways to find free Creative Commons licensed images online. Here are some of the most popular sites:
- Pexels
- Unsplash
- Pixabay
- Flickr
- Getty Images
How to use Creative Commons licensed images on your website
Once you’ve found Creative Commons-licensed images you like, it’s easy to use them on your website. Just follow the conditions specified in the license and be sure to give credit to the author of the image.
Conclusion
Creative Commons is a great way to share and use creative works online legally and free of charge. Whether you’re looking for images for your website or want to share your own creative works, Creative Commons is a great option. Start exploring Creative Commons license options today!