Commons Guide
The Commons section of Artivism Media contains content that is freely reusable under Creative Commons licenses or in the public domain. This guide explains how to find, verify, and properly use this content.
What is the Commons?
The Commons refers to creative works that are freely available for reuse, sharing, and remixing. At Artivism Media, the Commons includes:
- Content under Creative Commons licenses (CC0, CC BY, CC BY-SA, etc.)
- Public domain works (copyright expired or dedicated to public domain)
- Open access materials with clear reuse permissions
Browse the Commons section to find content you can legally reuse.
Creative Commons Licenses
CC0 (Public Domain Dedication)
No restrictions. You can use, modify, and distribute freely without attribution (though attribution is always appreciated).
Best for: Maximum freedom, no attribution required
CC BY (Attribution)
Use, modify, and distribute (even commercially) as long as you credit the creator.
Required: Attribution to original creator
CC BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike)
Same as CC BY, but derivative works must be licensed under the same terms.
Required: Attribution + ShareAlike for derivatives
CC BY-NC (Attribution-NonCommercial)
Use and modify with attribution, but not for commercial purposes.
Restriction: No commercial use
CC BY-ND (Attribution-NoDerivatives)
Use and distribute with attribution, but cannot create derivative works.
Restriction: No modifications allowed
For detailed information, see our Licensing page.
How to Verify License Status
Before reusing content, verify its license status:
- Open the item's detail page in Artivism Media
- Check the "License" field in the metadata
- Click the license link to view the full license deed
- Verify the license matches what's displayed
- Check the original source (if linked) to confirm license information
If license information is unclear or missing, contact us or check the original source before reusing.
Proper Attribution
For Creative Commons licenses requiring attribution, include:
- Title: The name of the work
- Author: Creator's name (with link if available)
- Source: Link to the original work
- License: License type with link to license deed
Example Attribution:
"Climate March 2020" by Jane Doe, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
When Content is Reusable
Content in the Commons can be reused when:
- It has a Creative Commons license that permits your intended use
- It's in the public domain (CC0 or copyright expired)
- You comply with all license requirements (attribution, ShareAlike, etc.)
- The license doesn't prohibit your specific use case (e.g., commercial use for CC BY-NC)
Always check the specific license terms before reusing. Some licenses have restrictions (non-commercial, no derivatives) that may limit your use.
Use Cases
Use Commons content in papers, presentations, and research. Provide proper attribution and citation as required by your institution.
Remix, modify, and build upon Commons content for your creative work. Remember ShareAlike requirements if applicable.
Use Commons content in teaching materials, course websites, and educational resources. Most CC licenses allow this use.
Check license restrictions. CC BY and CC BY-SA allow commercial use, but CC BY-NC does not.
Finding Commons Content
Ways to find reusable content:
- Browse the Commons section for all reusable content
- Use search filters:
license:"CC BY" - Filter by specific license types in the Commons interface
- Check item detail pages for license information
Best Practices
- Always verify license information before reusing
- Provide proper attribution even when not strictly required
- Respect license restrictions (non-commercial, no derivatives, etc.)
- Link to the original source and license deed
- Keep records of license information for your projects
- When in doubt, contact the creator or check the original source