CC BY-ND (Creative Commons Attribution–NoDerivatives) License
What Is the CC BY-ND License?
The CC BY-ND license lets others share and redistribute the original work, including for commercial purposes, as long as they credit the creator and do not modify the content. “BY” requires proper attribution, and “ND” (NoDerivatives) means the work must remain exactly as the creator made it.
This license supports broad distribution, such as posting on websites, using in broadcasts, or selling as-is, without allowing edits, translations, or mashups. It’s ideal for creators who want visibility but not transformation of their work.
Whether it’s a photograph, article, or design, users must present the material unchanged and in full, making CC BY-ND a useful tool for maintaining creative integrity while encouraging public access.
Summary of Permissions:
- Redistribute (commercially or non-commercially)
- Modify, remix, adapt, or translate
Key Features of the CC BY-ND License
This license is straightforward in both rights granted and limitations imposed.
| Permissions | Restrictions |
|---|---|
| Commercial Use | No remixes, edits, or adaptations |
| Unlimited Redistribution | No translation into other languages |
| Format Conversion | No cropping, filters, or editing of media |
| Lifetime Validity | No mashups, samples, or collages |
The ND (NoDerivatives) clause is non-negotiable: any alteration to the original work, even subtle, violates the license.
When to Use CC BY-ND License
CC BY-ND is well-suited for creators and organizations that want their original work distributed widely, including for profit, but not altered or reinterpreted.
Creators who want to protect their work’s integrity while making it broadly accessible often prefer this license.
How to Attribute Works Under the CC BY-ND License
The Attribution requirement in the CC BY-ND license ensures creators receive visible and accurate credit. Anyone using the work must include the creator’s name or alias, as originally provided. This helps preserve authorship and supports creator recognition, especially in commercial settings where proper credit holds both ethical and legal value.
If the creator has included a copyright notice, it must be retained without edits. This notice is an official declaration of the creator’s rights and signals to others that, while redistribution is allowed, copyright still exists.
Users must also clearly indicate the license by adding a statement like “Licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.” This alerts others to the conditions under which the work is shared and reused, particularly the ban on adaptations or changes.
Finally, attribution must include a clickable link to the official license page at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/. This ensures viewers can easily verify the terms and understand what is – and isn’t – permitted.
Clear and visible attribution is necessary anywhere the work is presented – online, in print, or embedded in other media.
What Counts as a Derivative?
A derivative work is any version that involves modifying, adapting, or transforming the original. The ND clause prohibits all such alterations.
| Action | Derivative? | Permitted Under CC BY-ND? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Translating text or captions | Yes | Not Allowed | Alters meaning or presentation |
| Cropping or color grading an image | Yes | Not Allowed | Considered a visual adaptation |
| Remixing a song or sampling | Yes | Not Allowed | Treated as a creative transformation |
| Editing video (e.g. adding subtitles) | Yes | Not Allowed | Even minor edits count as derivatives |
| Creating mashups or collages | Yes | Not Allowed | Involves recombination and creative editing |
| Resizing the file without changing aspect ratio | No | Allowed | Does not alter the original work’s content |
| Converting formats (e.g., JPG to PNG) | No | Allowed | Technical format shifts are permitted |
| Embedding or broadcasting unaltered work | No | Allowed | Must be used as-is without changes |
| Sharing the unmodified original file | No | Allowed | Redistribution without edits is always permitted |
When in doubt, assume any edit, even minor, requires separate permission from the copyright holder.
Comparison to Other Creative Commons Licenses
The CC BY-ND license differs significantly from more permissive Creative Commons options. It offers the least flexibility for adaptation but allows for broad commercial use.
| License | Can Modify? | Commercial Use? | Share-Alike? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC BY-ND | No | Yes | No |
| CC BY | Yes | Yes | No |
| CC BY-NC | Yes | No | No |
| CC BY-SA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
CC BY-ND provides commercial clarity and strict creative control, making it appealing for professional, governmental, and archival works.
Advantages of Using the CC BY-ND License
CC BY-ND offers several benefits for creators concerned about unauthorized changes or brand protection.
CC BY-ND protects artistic integrity by ensuring that works remain in their original form. This gives creators confidence that their message, design, or composition won’t be altered, misrepresented, or misunderstood through unauthorized edits.
The license also supports commercial redistribution. Media outlets, publishers, and educators can freely share the work, even in paid or promotional contexts, so long as the content remains unchanged and credit is given. This opens up valuable exposure without sacrificing control.
CC BY-ND simplifies license compliance by setting a clear boundary: share it as-is, or seek permission to modify. This makes it easier for both users and creators to understand what is allowed, reducing the chances of accidental misuse.
Since CC BY-ND does not include a ShareAlike clause, anyone redistributing the unmodified work can do so without applying the same license terms to other content in the same project or platform.
Limitations of the CC BY-ND License for Creators and Users
The strictness of CC BY-ND can reduce the potential for creative engagement and remix culture.
CC BY-ND is less useful for educators and translators because it blocks the ability to localize or adapt materials for different regions or audiences. This limitation can hinder accessibility in multilingual or culturally diverse environments.
The no-derivatives rule limits collaboration, especially in communities that rely on adaptation and customization. It’s a poor fit for open-source or open-education initiatives, where remixing and versioning are essential to the creative process.
Users may unintentionally create unofficial adaptations by making small changes, like trimming, captioning, or reformatting, without realizing they’re violating the license. Because enforcement is often difficult, confusion around what counts as a derivative can lead to widespread misuse.
For these reasons, CC BY-ND does not work well for projects that encourage creative participation, remix culture, or iterative improvements. Its rigidity protects original works but narrows the opportunities for dynamic, user-driven growth.
Real-World Examples
Numerous institutions, content creators, and publishers use CC BY-ND to distribute finalized works while preventing alteration.
Reuters uses the CC BY-ND license for select news photos distributed to media outlets. This allows wide sharing without risking altered images that could distort facts or context in news coverage.
Museums often release high-resolution exhibit images under CC BY-ND for public viewing and classroom use. The license ensures that artworks are preserved in their original visual form, free from unauthorized edits or overlays.
Companies apply CC BY-ND to annual reports, white papers, or brochures to allow circulation without changes. This helps preserve brand consistency and avoid misrepresentation of corporate messages or data.
Podcast creators sometimes use CC BY-ND to allow streaming while blocking downloads, cuts, or remixing. This protects the original pacing and tone of the episode.
Stock photo libraries may label certain images as CC BY-ND to prevent cropping or re-editing while still allowing commercial reuse in their unaltered form.
These examples highlight the license’s value in maintaining consistent messaging and professional presentation.