What should you consider before applying a license to your work? How might you choose the best license for your needs? Here are some tips and resources for licensing your works.
Some considerations from the CC FAQ.
- Is the material copyrightable? CC licenses do not apply to material in the public domain. Different countries have different standards for what is in the public domain.
- Do you own the material you want to license? If not, are you otherwise authorized to license it under the specific CC license you are interested in using? You should not apply a license to material that you do not own or that you are not authorized to license.
- Are you aware that CC licenses are not revocable? You are free to stop offering material under a CC license at any time, but this will not affect the rights associated with any copies of your work already in circulation.
- Are you a member of a collecting society? If you are, you should make sure that you are able to use CC licenses for your materials.
Remember to always read the terms and conditions of the specific license you plan to apply.
