Marking
Contents
Best Practices for Marking Content with CC Licensing
Choosing a license is only the first step; a CC license is only effective if others have a way of knowing about it. It is important to clearly mark your content so that others are aware of what permissions they have. One way to do this is to copy the code snippet from the license chooser and paste it into the HTML of your website. It is also recommended you display the license within the work itself, especially if your content will be shared online or displayed in a physical medium. Different types of content will have different limitations, but your mark should contain:
- The full URI (link) to the license. Example: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/.
- Optionally, the Creative Commons license icons, including the CC logo.
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NOTE: Because each CC license represents a different set of permissions and restrictions, it is important to note the specific license used. Displaying only the CC icon, “Creative Commons”, or “Some Rights Reserved” is insufficient; always include the full URL. |
CC icons may be downloaded from the Press Kit. Markers and video bumpers are available and you can also make your own. You may also want to include a copyright notice stating the author(s) and date of creation. The phrase “Some Rights Reserved” may be used to differentiate from the default “All Rights Reserved” copyright notice. You may also choose to use the background color of the license for your mark.
In order for others to credit you for your work, it is preferable to provide an attribution name and URL. If your work is a derivative or remix, you must also properly attribute the original creator(s). Unless the creator(s) have specified otherwise, displaying their name(s) and a URL (if applicable) is adequate attribution.
See Also: Tagging
Marking Specific Media
Due to the constraints of various media, it is not always possible for your mark to include all of the above. For details on how to mark specific media, please select your medium:
Download Markers
- For images & documents:
- For audio:
- For video:
More Technical
We also have a document about marking works that is more technical.
