Remixes/​Adaptations/​Derivative Works​

• Materials are gathered from a variety of sources and mixed into something completely new​

• Often impossible to tell where one underlying work ends and another begins​

• Examples:​

  • An Open Educational Resource (OER) that combines information from a number of openly licensed sources​

  • A song that samples, modifies, and rearranges other songs' music and lyrics​

Licensing Consideration for Remixes/Adaptations/Derivative Works​

• If the underlying work is licensed under a NoDerivatives license, you are not allowed to distribute remixes using that work​

• If the underlying work has a ShareAlike license, the new work must also have a ShareAlike license​

• License compatibility addresses the issue of which types of licensed works can be adapted into new works​

CC License Compatibility Chart by Kennisland is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

When using or creating CC-licensed content, several common pitfalls can arise, potentially leading to misuse or legal complications. Here are some key issues to watch out for:

1. Misunderstanding License Types

• Not all CC licenses allow for commercial use or modifications. For example, CC BY-NC (Non-Commercial) prohibits commercial exploitation, and CC BY-ND (No Derivatives) does not permit modifications.

• Assuming all CC-licensed content is completely unrestricted can lead to unintended violations of the creator's rights.

2. Improper Attribution

• Many users fail to provide proper attribution as required.

• Incomplete or missing attribution can violate the license and lead to ethical concerns.

3. Using CC Content Without Verifying Its Authenticity

• Some works may be incorrectly labeled as CC-licensed, either due to user error or intentional misrepresentation.

• It’s crucial to verify the original source and ensure that the content is genuinely under a CC license before using it.

4. Modifying Work Without Checking License Restrictions

• CC No Derivatives (ND) licenses prohibit changes, yet users sometimes edit or remix such works without permission.

• Even with CC BY-SA (ShareAlike), any modifications must be shared under the same license, which some users overlook.

5. Assuming CC Licenses Override Copyright Exceptions

• Fair use still applies separately from CC licenses. A work under a restrictive CC license (like CC BY-ND) does not eliminate the ability to use it under fair use conditions.

6. Applying CC Licenses to Content You Don’t Fully Own

• Some creators mistakenly apply CC licenses to content that includes copyrighted elements they don’t own (e.g., images, music, or text from third parties).

• If a work contains third-party content under different copyright terms, those restrictions still apply.

7. Not Understanding the Implications of an Irrevocable License

• CC licenses are irrevocable, meaning once content is shared under a CC license, the creator cannot take back the rights granted under that license for existing users.

• However, future versions of the work can be released under different terms, but past users may still use the earlier licensed version under the granted terms.

To avoid these pitfalls, it’s important to carefully read and understand CC licenses, properly attribute works, verify sources, and respect the specific conditions attached to each type of license.

Collections

• A collection is an assembly of separate creativeworks to make something new while keeping themorganized as distinct objects​

• Examples:​

  • A poetry anthology​

  • A collection of short stories​

  • An edited book of essays​

  • A "Greatest Hits of the '80's" album​

Licensing Considerations for Collections​

• Give attribution and licensing information for every individual work in the collection​

• You may own copyright on parts of the collection, but that copyright only extends to the contributions you make to the work (such as an introduction, commentary, etc.)​