In the world of digital content, understanding image and content licensing is essential to avoid copyright issues. Among the most widely used licensing systems are Creative Commons (CC) licenses, which offer creators the flexibility to share their work with the public under specific conditions.

Here we explain the main types of Creative Commons licenses, how you can use them legally, and what rights each one grants or restricts. ✅

🧩 What Are Creative Commons Licenses?

Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization that provides a flexible legal framework for sharing content. Its licenses allow creators to decide how others can use their work, always preserving their intellectual property rights.

They are widely used in educational resources, blogs, videos, photographs, and music.

📘 The 6 Types of Creative Commons Licenses

There are 6 main types of CC licenses, combining four key conditions:

• BY – Attribution required

• SA – Share alike (derivative works must be shared under the same license)

• NC – Non-commercial use only

• ND – No derivatives (no modifications allowed)

Each license is a combination of these:

1. CC BY (Attribution) ✅

• You can: copy, distribute, modify, and use the work commercially.

• You must: give credit to the original author.

• Use case: Ideal for blogs, educational materials, and commercial use.

2. CC BY-SA (Attribution – ShareAlike) 🔁

• You can: modify and use the work, including for commercial purposes.

• You must: credit the author and license your work under the same terms.

• Use case: Inspired by open-source philosophy.

3. CC BY-ND (Attribution – NoDerivs) 🚫✏️

• You can: use and share the work, including commercially.

• You must: give credit, and you cannot alter it.

• Use case: For distributing unmodified content (e.g., government data or statements).

4. CC BY-NC (Attribution – NonCommercial) 🛑💰

• You can: copy, distribute, and modify the work.

• You must: credit the author and not use it commercially.

• Use case: Educational content or personal blogs.

5. CC BY-NC-SA (Attribution – NonCommercial – ShareAlike) 🔄

• You can: modify and share the content for non-commercial purposes.

• You must: credit and license your version under the same conditions.

• Use case: Collaborative non-commercial projects.

6. CC BY-NC-ND (Attribution – NonCommercial – NoDerivs) 🔒

• You can: download and share, but not modify or use it commercially.

• You must: give proper credit.

• Use case: For limited dissemination without allowing modifications.

🛡️ How to Use Creative Commons Safely

1. Always read the license details on the platform where you found the image.

2. Attribute properly: Include the name of the author, title, license, and link.

3. Avoid commercial use unless the license explicitly allows it.

4. Use trusted sites like Wikimedia Commons, Flickr (CC filter), or Pexels with license tags.

5. Don’t confuse “free” with “copyright-free” — they’re not always the same!

🎓 Conclusion

Creative Commons licenses are a fantastic tool to legally use and share creative content. However, they must be understood and respected. At taxtosell.eu, we help businesses and content creators navigate the legal risks of the digital world — including copyright, image licensing, and digital compliance in Europe.

Understanding how Creative Commons licenses work is the first step to protect your online project and avoid costly disputes.