Creative Commons

Video credit: Creative Commons & Copyright Info – posted by U of G Library on YouTube

Think

Explore

If you create and post your own work online and want others to be able to see and use it, consider using a Creative Commons license. CC licenses allow you to choose the terms by which others can use your work. For example, you can stipulate that other people credit you, that they do not use your work for monetary gain or that they do not modify your work when using it (i.e. make a derivative based on your original). We use a Creative Commons license on this site which allows users to re-use the content unless otherwise copyrighted (i.e. images or video).

 

Think before you ink

When you create original content, always remember the following:

  • You automatically have copyright over any material that you have created including writing, photos, music, etc.
  • Others cannot copy or use what you’ve created without your permission. If you want to allow others to use or share your work consider using a Creative Commons license.
  • Creative Commons (CC) enables producers of material to allow others to use it without traditional copyright restrictions. Many users of photo sharing websites such as Flickr take advantage of CC so that their works can be distributed and seen by more people.

When using other people’s work:

  • It’s best to use Creative Commons licensed media. UBC’s Learning Commons has a number of guides to help you find CC works.
  • Not all Creative Commons licenses are the same. Just because something is CC protected, doesn’t mean that you can use it for whatever you want. Be aware of the different types of Creative Commons licenses.
  • Always respect copyright! If you are using something that is copyright protected, you cannot copy or use it without the permission of the creator. This is true even if it doesn’t have the ©. If you aren’t sure about copyright, check out some common myths about copyright or visit our page on the Copyright Act.

Discuss

The Digital Tattoo Project encourages critical discussion on topics surrounding digital citizenship and online identity. There are no correct answers and every person will view these topics from a different perspective. Be sure to complete the previous sections before answering the questions.

  • How do you feel about publishing your own work using a creative commons license?
  • What are the benefits and deterrents of using creative commons licensing over traditional copyright?

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