Reuse Guide
Learn how to properly reuse, remix, and attribute Creative Commons and public domain content from Artivism Media. This guide covers license requirements, attribution best practices, and common use cases.
Understanding Licenses
What content can I reuse from Artivism Media?
You can reuse content that is licensed under Creative Commons licenses (CC0, CC BY, CC BY-SA, etc.) or in the public domain. Check each item's license information on its detail page. Content with "All Rights Reserved" or unknown licenses may not be reusable without permission.
What does CC BY mean?
CC BY (Creative Commons Attribution) means you can use, remix, and share the content for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as you give credit to the creator. This is the most permissive CC license.
What does CC BY-SA mean?
CC BY-SA (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike) means you can use, remix, and share the content, but you must use the same license (CC BY-SA) for your derivative work. This is often called "copyleft."
What does CC BY-NC mean?
CC BY-NC (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial) means you can use and remix the content, but only for non-commercial purposes. Commercial use requires separate permission.
What is Public Domain?
Public Domain content has no copyright restrictions. You can use it for any purpose without attribution, though attribution is still recommended as a best practice.
Attribution Requirements
How do I properly attribute Creative Commons content?
Include: (1) Title of the work, (2) Author/Creator name (with link if available), (3) Source link, (4) License type and link. Example: "Title" by Author (Source) is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Do I need to attribute Public Domain content?
Attribution is not legally required for public domain content, but it is recommended as a best practice. It helps others find the original source and respects the creator's work.
Where should I place attribution?
Attribution can be placed near the content (caption, credits), in a credits section, or in your work's bibliography. For videos, include in credits or description. For images, use captions or alt text.
What if the author name is not available?
If no author is listed, you can use "Unknown" or "Anonymous" or simply omit the author field. Always include the source and license information.
Remixing and Derivatives
Can I remix or modify Creative Commons content?
Yes, if the license allows derivatives (most CC licenses do, except CC BY-ND and CC BY-NC-ND). You can edit, combine, or transform the content. Always check the specific license terms.
What license should I use for my remix?
For CC BY-SA content, you must use CC BY-SA for your derivative. For CC BY content, you can choose any license. Always include attribution to the original work.
Can I use CC BY-NC content in my commercial project?
No. CC BY-NC (NonCommercial) prohibits commercial use. You would need to contact the rights holder for commercial licensing or use different content.
Best Practices
What are best practices for reusing artivism content?
Always check the license, provide proper attribution, respect the creator's intent, link back to the original source, and consider the context and message of the original work when reusing.
Can I use content for educational purposes?
Yes, most Creative Commons licenses allow educational use. CC BY-NC content can be used in non-commercial educational settings. Always check the specific license terms.
How do I report misuse of my content?
If you are a rights holder and see your content being misused, contact us through our <Link href="/contact">contact form</Link> with details about the misuse and proof of ownership.
Attribution Examples
Example 1: CC BY Attribution
"Climate Activism Documentary" by John Smith (YouTube) is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Source: artivism.media/video/example
Example 2: CC BY-SA Attribution
"Protest Photography" by Jane Doe (Flickr) is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: artivism.media/image/example
Example 3: Public Domain
"Historical Document" (Public Domain). Source: artivism.media/document/example
Related Resources
Citation Guide — How to cite content in academic formats
Commons — Browse freely reusable content
Licensing — Complete guide to Creative Commons licenses
Commons Guide — Detailed guide to the Commons section