Creative Commons

Creative Commons (pronounced /ˈkriːətɪv ˈkɒmənz/) is a non-profit organization that provides free and easy-to-use copyright licenses to enable creative work to be shared and reused. The organization was founded in 2001 by Lawrence Lessig, Hal Abelson, and Eric Eldred with the aim of reducing barriers to creativity, whether that's creating music, writing, teaching, or research.

Etymology

The term "Creative Commons" is derived from the idea of the "commons" in English law, the concept of land or resources belonging to or affecting the whole of a community. The "creative" part of the name signifies the organization's focus on promoting creativity and innovation.

Related Terms

Copyright: The exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute the matter and form of something (as a literary, musical, or artistic work).
License: A legal instrument giving official permission to do something; in this context, it refers to the permissions given to others by the copyright holder.
Public Domain: The state of belonging or being available to the public as a whole, and therefore not subject to copyright.
Open Content: A creative work that others can copy or modify freely, without asking for permission.
Attribution: The act of giving appropriate credit for a creative work.