CC BY-SA (Attribution–ShareAlike)
Definition
CC BY-SA, or Creative Commons Attribution–ShareAlike, gives people permission to reuse and adapt creative works as long as they follow two rules. First, they must credit the original creator. Second, they must share the new version under the same license if they change or build on the work.
This approach keeps content open for others down the line. It’s popular in open knowledge and software communities because it prevents companies or platforms from closing off access to shared resources. Anyone using a CC BY-SA work helps grow a commons of free content that others can learn from, remix, and build upon without legal barriers.
Key Features of CC BY-SA
The Creative Commons Attribution–ShareAlike license offers generous reuse rights but includes conditions to protect openness and attribution.
Permitted Actions (What You Can Do)
CC BY-SA allows anyone to copy and share a work in any format or platform. You can remix or build on it, including translations, adaptations, or creative mashups. You may also use the content in commercial projects like books, apps, or merchandise, making it one of the most flexible Creative Commons licenses for both creators and businesses.
Conditions & Restrictions (What You Must Do)
You must always give credit to the original creator. That includes the author’s name, a link to the license, and a note about any changes made. Just as important, any new content you make using the original must also be shared under CC BY-SA. This “ShareAlike” condition ensures others can use your derivative freely under the same terms.
Important Notes
The license prohibits additional restrictions like DRM or platform-specific locks that could block reuse. It also does not offer warranties or legal protection – users must handle third-party rights or legal risks on their own.
When to Use CC BY-SA
Creative Commons Attribution–ShareAlike is best for creators who want their work to be freely used but require derivatives to remain open and shareable.
It’s a popular choice among those who value both freedom and reciprocity in creative licensing.
Examples of CC BY-SA Use Cases
Wikipedia uses the Creative Commons Attribution–ShareAlike license to ensure that all user-generated content remains freely available, adaptable, and redistributable. Contributors must be credited, and any reuse or modification must also be licensed under CC BY-SA to keep the knowledge ecosystem open.
Open Educational Resources (OER) like textbooks, lesson plans, and teaching slides often use CC BY-SA so educators can adapt content for local needs while preserving openness. This helps schools share improvements without legal barriers.
Musicians and illustrators on open platforms sometimes use CC BY-SA to allow remixes, visual edits, or commercial reuse, so long as new works follow the same attribution and sharing rules.
Open-source documentation, including technical manuals and collaborative guides, benefits from CC BY-SA because it supports ongoing updates, community revisions, and reuse under the same license.
Comparison with Other CC Licenses
Understanding how Creative Commons Attribution–ShareAlike differs from other Creative Commons licenses helps in selecting the right licensing terms.
| License | Allows Commercial Use? | Allows Modifications? | Requires Same License (SA)? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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-SA vs. CC BY
CC BY and CC BY-SA both allow commercial use and modifications. However, only CC BY-SA requires derivative works to carry the same license. This “ShareAlike” clause ensures that future adaptations stay open and freely usable, preserving collaborative access over time.
CC BY-SA vs. GNU GPL (for software)
CC BY-SA operates much like the GNU General Public License (GPL), but for creative content instead of code. Both require that adaptations or modifications remain under the same license, supporting transparency and reuse. While GPL protects open-source software, CC BY-SA is designed for media, writing, educational content, and other non-software creative works.
Potential Challenges with CC BY-SA
Despite its advantages, CC BY-SA may present some limitations in collaborative or commercial settings.
License Compatibility
CC BY-SA allows wide reuse, but it limits compatibility with other Creative Commons licenses. You cannot combine CC BY-SA content with works licensed under more restrictive terms like CC BY-NC or CC BY-ND. This creates friction in projects that rely on varied source materials, especially in education or media where mixed licensing is common.
Enforcement and Misuse
Even though the license is legally binding, enforcing attribution and ShareAlike terms can be challenging. Some users forget or ignore requirements to credit creators or apply the same license to their adaptations. This can lead to disputes or accidental noncompliance, especially on fast-moving platforms.
Commercial Use Concerns
The ShareAlike condition discourages some commercial entities from using Creative Commons Attribution–ShareAlike content. Companies often prefer licenses that let them retain control over modifications. CC BY-SA’s openness conflicts with proprietary models, making it less appealing for businesses that want to keep their derivatives closed or sell exclusive versions.
How to Properly Attribute a CC BY-SA Work
Attribution is essential under the Creative Commons Attribution–ShareAlike license. You must credit the original creator and clearly state the license, ensuring users understand the source and any changes made.
First, include the title of the work if it’s known. This helps others identify the specific resource being referenced or reused.
Next, credit the name of the original creator. If possible, link their name to their profile, portfolio, or original source.
Then, include a clear statement of the license: “Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.” This communicates the legal terms under which the work is being shared.
Also, add a link to the full license text: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/. This allows users to review the conditions in detail.
If you’ve made any changes to the original, indicate those clearly. For example, write something like: “Adapted from the original with new examples.”
Finally, make sure the full attribution appears wherever the work is shared, such as in a caption, footer, or metadata, so that users can always see the original source and license terms.
Clear, accessible credit should be provided wherever the work is displayed or distributed (e.g., captions, footnotes, metadata).