CC BY (Creative Commons Attribution License)
Definition
CC BY, or Creative Commons Attribution, is the most permissive standard license offered by Creative Commons. It allows users to freely use, modify, and redistribute the material for both commercial and non-commercial purposes, as long as proper credit is given to the original creator.
This license enables broad reuse while maintaining basic attribution standards. It is commonly used in education, journalism, software, music, and research to promote sharing and innovation.
Summary of Rights
- Freedom to Share – Copy and redistribute the material in any format or medium.
- Freedom to Adapt – Remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose.
- Attribution Required – You must give credit to the original creator.
Key Features
CC BY is known for its simplicity and openness. It removes most barriers to reuse while retaining creator recognition.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Commercial Use Allowed | The material can be used in revenue-generating activities, products, and services. |
| Modifications Allowed | You may create derivative works without limitations. |
| No Share-Alike Clause | Derivatives do not need to be shared under the same license. |
| Worldwide & Perpetual | The license is valid globally and lasts for the duration of the copyright. |
| No Additional Restrictions | You cannot apply legal or technological limits to restrict usage. |
This flexibility makes CC BY ideal for maximizing visibility and reach across multiple platforms.
/%5BInfographic%5D%20Common%20Use%20Cases%20of%20CC%20BY.png)
What You Can Do Under a CC BY License
With proper attribution, users of CC BY content gain wide creative and commercial freedom. You can include the material in monetized projects such as advertisements, mobile apps, or product packaging without seeking additional permission. The license also allows full modification, so you can remix or adapt the original work to create something new, like transforming a photograph into a digital collage or using music in a podcast intro.
Creators can distribute CC BY content across streaming platforms, social media, or e-commerce stores. You may also reproduce the material in physical formats, such as posters, books, or printed merchandise, and sell those copies commercially.
Unlike more restrictive licenses, CC BY supports innovation by removing gatekeeping. You do not need to contact the creator each time you use the work, as long as you include proper credit. This balance between openness and attribution makes CC BY especially popular among educators, designers, video producers, and open-source communities. It ensures legal reuse while still recognizing the original creator.
What You Must Do
The single requirement under CC BY is attribution. Users must credit the original creator each time the work is used or shared.
You must always include the name of the original creator or organization responsible for the work. This helps preserve authorship and ensures that others can trace the source accurately. If no individual is named, use the name of the platform or group that released the content.
Include a copyright notice if it’s available. While CC BY waives many traditional copyright controls, mentioning the copyright (such as “© 2024 Jane Doe”) reinforces transparency and respect for the creator’s rights.
Clearly state the license used. Simply writing “CC BY 4.0” informs users that they’re allowed to reuse the material under specific conditions. This also distinguishes the license from more restrictive or attribution-optional versions like CC0.
Always provide a link to the license page at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. This ensures that anyone viewing or reusing the content can read the full terms in plain language and verify their rights.
If you modified the original work, say so. Mention whether you translated, resized, cropped, recolored, or added new elements. This helps clarify how your version differs and avoids confusion over the creator’s original intent.
Finally, never imply that the creator endorses your use of their work. Attribution is about credit, not promotion. If you use a CC BY image in an ad, for example, make it clear that the creator isn’t connected to your product or company unless they’ve given explicit permission.
Comparison to Other CC Licenses
Creative Commons offers multiple licensing options. CC BY sits at the most permissive end of the spectrum.
| License | Commercial Use | Modifications | Share‑Alike Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC BY | Yes | Yes | No |
| CC BY‑SA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CC BY‑NC | No | Yes | No |
| CC BY‑ND | Yes | No | No |
CC BY provides the most flexibility, while other licenses add layers of restriction to control redistribution, modification, or commercial use.
Real-World CC BY License Examples in Use
Wikimedia Commons includes a vast library of CC BY images that power Wikipedia and many other platforms. Because CC BY only requires attribution, editors and educators around the world can use the visuals in online articles, presentations, and educational materials without asking for permission. This makes it one of the most widely used repositories for open knowledge.
OpenStax publishes free, peer-reviewed textbooks under the CC BY license, allowing teachers to adapt content to their curriculum. Instructors can add local examples, translate content, or rearrange chapters to fit course objectives. This flexibility supports affordable, customizable education across schools, colleges, and universities.
NASA shares many of its space images and materials under CC BY, making them available for journalists, filmmakers, and product designers. Businesses can include real space photos in posters, T-shirts, or commercials, as long as they credit NASA appropriately. This boosts science outreach while supporting creative industries.
Bandcamp hosts independent musicians who sometimes release songs under CC BY to expand their reach. DJs can remix tracks, YouTubers can add music to videos, and creators can build new works based on the original – all while crediting the artist. This approach increases visibility and promotes collaboration across platforms.
Advantages
CC BY licenses promote openness while preserving credit, making them ideal for creators seeking reach over restriction.
- Maximum Reuse Potential – Anyone can use, share, or remix the work with credit.
- Preferred by Open Movements – Open education, open data, and open access journals favor CC BY for flexibility.
- Permission-Free – No need to contact the creator before using or modifying the work.
- Boosts Innovation – Encourages remix culture, derivative works, and collaborative art or research.
This license is especially valuable for creators who want exposure and engagement more than monetization.
Potential Drawbacks
While CC BY is powerful, it may not suit all creators, especially those seeking to protect their work from misuse or monetization.
- No Creator Compensation – The license allows free use in commercial products without requiring payment or royalties.
- Loss of Control – Creators can’t restrict how their work is reused, even in controversial or unwanted contexts.
- No Approval of Derivatives – Adaptations or mashups may not align with the creator’s values or intentions.
Creators should weigh these factors before choosing CC BY, especially if the work carries ethical, political, or commercial sensitivities.
Proper Attribution Example
Providing correct attribution is essential for legal compliance and professional respect.
/%5BScreenshot%5D%20Sample%20Credit.png)
Attribution should be visible wherever the content is used, whether in a caption, footer, or credits section.
How CC BY Differs from Public Domain
CC BY is not public domain, though it shares similarities in allowing wide reuse. The key difference is that CC BY still requires attribution, while public domain content does not.
| Aspect | CC BY | Public Domain (e.g., CC0) |
|---|---|---|
| Copyright Exists? | Yes | No (rights waived or expired) |
| Attribution Required? | Yes | No |
| Commercial Use? | Allowed | Allowed |
| Can Modify? | Yes | Yes |
If you’re looking to reuse work without any legal condition, CC0 or public domain materials are the better option.
Why Organizations Use CC BY
Governments use CC BY to promote transparency and public access to taxpayer-funded resources. By releasing reports, infographics, or media under this license, agencies make it easier for citizens, journalists, and developers to reuse content in new ways – in apps, presentations, or public-service campaigns. This approach supports open government and civic innovation.
Educators choose CC BY for textbooks and learning materials so teachers can localize, update, or translate them without legal barriers. A CC BY textbook can be restructured for a different grade level or edited to match regional standards, making it more useful across diverse classrooms. Attribution ensures the original author still receives credit.
Researchers apply CC BY to studies, datasets, and visuals to speed up discovery and citation. Others can build on findings, republish figures in new papers, or translate insights into policy, without lengthy permission processes. This openness accelerates scientific progress and broadens impact.
Artists use CC BY to grow their audience and invite creative collaboration. Whether it’s visual art, music, or design, allowing remix and commercial use under attribution encourages fan engagement, mashups, and exposure across platforms. This model benefits creators who value reach and community over strict control.