Creative Commons: standard reuse licences

Creative Commons (CC) licences are a set of ready-made permissions that let creators say 'yes, you can reuse my work, but under these conditions.' Unlike traditional copyright where you must ask for each use, CC licences grant permission in advance. The key contrast is between licences that allow commercial use and those that do not: for example, CC BY lets others sell your work, while CC BY-NC does not. Always check the licence code before assuming reuse is free for profit.

To avoid common mistakes, remember that the 'BY' condition (attribution) is mandatory in every CC licence, so omitting credit is always a violation. Another trap: the 'SA' (share alike) condition means any derivative must use the same licence, not just any open licence. When you see a CC licence in a question, quickly decode the acronym: look for 'NC' (non-commercial) or 'ND' (no derivatives) to spot restrictions. If the licence is CC0, it is public domain dedication, not a licence at all.

A compact way to test yourself: pick any CC licence, say CC BY-NC-SA, and name the three conditions it imposes (attribution, non-commercial, share alike). If you can decode any CC code in under ten seconds, you are ready for the exam. The real point is not memorising all six licences, but reading the acronym to see what is allowed.