3 About Creative Commons
Learning Objectives
To help you navigate the chapter, the following objectives outline the main themes and areas of inquiry we will examine:
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Identify and describe the key features of the Creative Commons licensing framework, including how it relates to copyright and the public use of works.
- Analyse how Creative Commons licences can be applied in educational contexts.
What is Creative Commons?
Creative Commons operates within copyright law and allows rights holders to choose the terms under which others may copy, share or adapt their work. For users, the presence of a Creative Commons licence answers the key question: “What can I do with this work?”. The licences are built on copyright and last for the same duration as the underlying rights, ensuring that creators are credited appropriately while enabling flexible, lawful reuse.
A Creative Commons licence makes sharing simpler by reducing the need for individual permissions and allowing creators to maintain control over how their work is used. Users only need to seek additional permission if they wish to use the work outside the scope of the licence.
- For creators, educators, and institutions, Creative Commons licences offer a straightforward, standardised way to grant public permission to use copyrighted material.
- For users, particularly in educational settings, these licences are valuable because they allow instructors and students to copy, share and, depending on the licence, modify or remix a work without needing to request further approval.
Exercise 3.1
Identify the Purpose of Creative Commons
Exercise 3.2
Apply Creative Commons in Educational Contexts
Scenario:
A colleague wants to share their lecture slides publicly.
Task:
Advise your colleague on the following:
- What steps should they take before choosing a Creative Commons licence?
- How Creative Commons may help them share their work more widely.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this chapter, you should be able to demonstrate the following skills and understandings.
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Demonstrate an understanding of the Creative Commons licensing framework and explain how it relates to copyright and the public use of works.
- Apply Creative Commons licences appropriately within educational, institutional and open publishing contexts, including the creation and sharing of open educational resources.
