CC BY-NC (Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial)
What Is the CC BY-NC License?
CC BY-NC stands for Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial, a type of open content license that allows others to share and adapt a work, but not use it for commercial purposes. It is part of the Creative Commons suite of licenses designed to facilitate flexible copyright use.
This license permits users to copy, distribute, remix, and build upon the material as long as they follow two main rules: give credit to the original creator (Attribution, or BY), and do not use the work for commercial gain (NonCommercial, or NC).
Summary of Rights Granted:
- Share – You may copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
- Adapt – You may remix, transform, and build upon the material.
- Commercial Use – You may not use the material for commercial purposes without separate permission.
- Credit Required – You must attribute the original creator in all copies or derivative works.
What “NonCommercial” Means in CC BY-NC
The NonCommercial (NC) condition in a Creative Commons license limits the use of a work to purposes that are not primarily intended for or directed toward commercial advantage or monetary compensation. This restriction applies regardless of whether the work is sold, used in paid content, or leveraged in a for-profit business model.
| Use Case | Allowed Under NC? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Selling the original or adapted work | No | NC licenses prohibit any form of commercial sale of the content or its adaptations. |
| Paid advertisements or promotional campaigns | No | Using the content in any profit-driven marketing violates the NC clause. |
| Publishing in for-profit media or commercial training programs | No | Educational use must be nonprofit; commercial publishers need explicit permission. |
| Redistribution by commercial platforms or companies | No | Even free distribution is restricted if done by for-profit entities. |
| Use in nonprofit educational settings (classrooms, workshops) | Yes | Educational use without profit aligns with the NC condition. |
| Use on personal websites, blogs, or YouTube (no monetization) | Yes | Individuals may share NC content if there’s no revenue generation. |
| Fan art, remixes, or free community content | Yes | Non-commercial sharing and creativity are encouraged under NC, as long as it’s not monetized. |
| Use on Wikipedia or other non-commercial knowledge platforms | Yes | Platforms that operate without ads or paid access meet NC criteria. |
Prohibited Uses Under NC
You cannot sell the original or modified version of the work. Commercial advertising, sponsorships, and promotional use are also off-limits. This includes using the content on monetized platforms, in training materials sold for a fee, or within subscription-based services. Even freely distributed materials may violate the NC clause if used by a for-profit company.
Permitted Uses
You may use NC content in nonprofit education, such as public school curricula, academic presentations, or library workshops. Private individuals can use it on personal blogs or YouTube channels if no monetization is involved. Community-based fan projects or freely shared remixes also fall within accepted non-commercial use. Platforms like Wikipedia meet the NC requirement because their content remains open and ad-free.
Important Clarification
NonCommercial doesn’t mean “not making money” in every case. It’s about purpose and context. A blog that uses CC NC images and displays banner ads might fall outside the NC boundary, even if the earnings are small. When in doubt, users should review the license terms carefully or choose content marked explicitly for commercial reuse.
Key Features of CC BY-NC
The CC BY-NC license includes a combination of freedoms and boundaries designed to encourage non-commercial reuse while protecting commercial rights.
| Feature | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Derivatives Allowed | You can create and share adapted versions. |
| No Share-Alike Required | Derivatives don’t need to carry the same license (unlike CC BY‑NC‑SA). |
| No Additional Restrictions | You cannot apply legal terms or tech that legally restrict others’ use. |
| Perpetual License | The license lasts for the duration of the copyright, unless revoked or violated. |
This combination gives creators flexibility in allowing re-use while still limiting how their work is monetized.
Common Use Cases
The CC BY-NC license is popular among educators, creators, nonprofits, and independent artists who want to share their work freely but retain control over commercial use.
This license supports sharing and remixing while maintaining clear limits on financial exploitation.
How to Comply with CC BY-NC Requirements
Using a work under CC BY-NC comes with responsibilities. Failing to follow the rules can lead to copyright infringement, even if the content is freely available.
You must give proper attribution. Always include the creator’s name or alias, the title of the work (if available), a link to the original source, and the type of license. This helps maintain transparency and gives credit where it’s due.
You must link to the official license. Including the full URL to the Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0 license ensures that others understand the terms under which the work was shared.
You must disclose modifications. If you made changes to the original work, such as cropping an image or adjusting the colors, clearly state what you altered.
You must avoid commercial use. You can’t use the work to make money, advertise products, or distribute through platforms that earn revenue from access or ads.
What Happens If You Violate the CC BY-NC License
Violating a CC BY-NC license, even if it happens by mistake, removes your legal right to use the content under Creative Commons terms. Once the license is broken, the use becomes unlicensed and subject to full copyright enforcement.
Copyright infringement is the primary consequence. If you use the work outside its allowed scope, especially in commercial settings, the creator may pursue legal action.
DMCA takedowns are another risk. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook may remove your content without warning and apply strikes or penalties that limit your account.
Legal liability increases when commercial gain is involved. In the U.S., if the original work is registered, statutory damages may apply—even if the infringement wasn’t intentional.
Loss of credibility can also hurt. Misusing open-licensed content can harm your reputation and discourage future collaboration with creators who rely on community trust.
Comparison to Other CC Licenses
Creative Commons licenses range from highly permissive to more restrictive. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right one or use others appropriately.
| License | Commercial Use Allowed? | Can Modify? | Must Share-Alike? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC BY | Yes | Yes | No |
| CC BY-NC | No | Yes | No |
| CC BY-NC-SA | No | Yes | Yes |
| CC BY-ND | Yes | No | No |
CC BY-NC offers a balanced middle ground, allowing freedom to modify while restricting commercial gain.
Controversies & Challenges
Despite its popularity, the CC BY-NC license comes with ongoing debates, especially around the term “non-commercial.”
Ambiguity in Interpretation
The term “non-commercial” is not always clear. A personal blog that runs Google Ads may fall into a legal gray area. Similarly, a video creator on Patreon might wonder if using CC BY-NC music is allowed when they earn donations.
Even nonprofits can face uncertainty, such as when selling tickets to an event that includes adapted CC BY-NC works. Because the license does not offer a strict legal definition of what counts as “non-commercial,” the interpretation often depends on context and local laws.
Enforcement & Visibility
Enforcing CC BY-NC terms can be difficult. Most creators lack the tools to monitor how their work is reused, especially across global platforms. As a result, commercial misuse – intentional or not – is common.
Many users simply don’t understand the restrictions or assume any “free” content is safe for monetized projects. This uncertainty causes some creators and institutions to avoid CC BY-NC entirely, as it may restrict legitimate reuse in fields like open education, publishing, and media.