This article explains the basics and is not legal advice. The binding text is the respective Creative Commons license itself.
A construction kit, not single licenses
Creative Commons (CC) isn't one single right but a construction kit of four conditions that the creator combines. Know the four building blocks and you read any CC license at a glance — however cryptic the code looks.
The four building blocks
| Code | Meaning | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| BY | Attribution | credit required |
| NC | NonCommercial | non-commercial use only |
| ND | NoDerivatives | no modifications |
| SA | ShareAlike | share modifications under the same license |
A license strings these blocks together: CC BY = attribution only; CC BY-NC-SA = attribution + non-commercial only + modifications under the same license. Almost all of today's CC licenses include BY (attribution is standard).
The special case CC0
CC0 is the exception: the most far-reaching waiver of rights there is. The image is effectively public domain — no attribution needed, commercial use and modification free. Ideal for worry-free use. A source note is still good style, but not required.
The key question: may I use it commercially?
For company websites, shops, and anything with revenue, NC is the decisive letter:
- Without NC (CC0, CC BY, CC BY-SA, CC BY-ND) → commercial use allowed.
- With NC (CC BY-NC, CC BY-NC-SA, CC BY-NC-ND) → non-commercial only.
The catch: what counts as commercial? The line is blurry. As soon as a site earns revenue — including through ads or affiliate links — it's often classed as commercial, and NC images become problematic. When in doubt, pick a license without NC.
ND and SA in everyday use
- ND (no modifications): you may use the image but not crop, recolor, or add text. For an image you need to fit to a layout size, ND is impractical.
- SA (share alike): if you modify the image, you must share the result under the same CC license. Rarely a problem for internal use, but often unwanted for company material (you'd have to release your own work).
How to attribute correctly
For all BY licenses, attribution is mandatory — and Creative Commons recommends the TASL scheme:
- Title of the work (if any)
- Author (with a link to the profile, if possible)
- Source (linked)
- License (name + link to the license text)
Plus a note if you modified the image. A bare link to the photographer isn't enough — the full TASL attribution is what the license actually asks for.
The practical short version
- Worry-free: CC0 — everything allowed, nothing required.
- Commercial + flexible: CC BY — just credit correctly.
- Careful, business: avoid anything with NC.
- Needs cropping: avoid ND.
And in general: even "royalty-free" stock images aren't unconditional — read the license before you rely on it.
In short
- Four blocks: BY (credit), NC (non-commercial), ND (no edits), SA (share alike).
- CC0 = effectively public domain.
- NC blocks commercial use — the decisive letter for business.
- Attribute with TASL for any BY license.