How To Use Open Licences
Open licences afford you a lot more flexibility than traditional copyrights. All Open Educational Resources have Creative Commons (CC) licences, which allow you to share, rebuild, remix, and revamp materials to better suit your needs.
CC licences have some intricate differences, but no matter which licences you choose or encounter, engaging with an OER makes it easier for you to ramp up your teaching activities for the betterment of student learning.
Licence Types
This is a short summary of the open licences available through Creative Commons. More information on open licences can be found at Creative Commons and Creative Commons Canada.
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CC BY Attribution This licence lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon your work, even commercially, as long as they credit you for the original creation. This is the most accommodating of licences offered, in terms of what others can do with your works licensed under Attribution. |
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CC BY-SA Attribution Share Alike This licence lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit you and license their new creations under the identical terms. This licence is often compared to open source software licences. All new works based on yours will carry the same licence, so any derivatives will also allow commercial use. |
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CC BY-ND Attribution No Derivatives This licence allows for redistribution, commercial and non-commercial, as long as it is passed along unchanged and in whole, with credit to you. |
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CC BY-NC Attribution Non-Commercial This licence lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work non-commercially, and although their new works must also acknowledge you and be non-commercial, they don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms. |
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CC BY-NC-SA Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike This licence lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work non-commercially, as long as they credit you and license their new creations under the identical terms. Others can download and redistribute your work just like the BY-NC-ND licence, but they can also translate, make remixes, and produce new stories based on your work. All new work based on yours will carry the same licence, so any derivatives will also be non-commercial in nature. |
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CC BY-NC-ND Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives This licence is the most restrictive of the six main licences, allowing redistribution. This licence is often called the “free advertising” licence because it allows others to download your works and share them with others as long as they mention you and link back to you, but they can’t change them in any way or use them commercially. |
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CC BY Attribution This licence lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon your work, even commercially, as long as they credit you for the original creation. This is the most accommodating of licences offered, in terms of what others can do with your works licensed under Attribution. |
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CC BY-SA Attribution Share Alike This licence lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit you and license their new creations under the identical terms. This licence is often compared to open source software licences. All new works based on yours will carry the same licence, so any derivatives will also allow commercial use. |
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CC BY-ND Attribution No Derivatives This licence allows for redistribution, commercial and non-commercial, as long as it is passed along unchanged and in whole, with credit to you. |
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CC BY-NC Attribution Non-Commercial This licence lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work non-commercially, and although their new works must also acknowledge you and be non-commercial, they don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms. |
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CC BY-NC-SA Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike This licence lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work non-commercially, as long as they credit you and license their new creations under the identical terms. Others can download and redistribute your work just like the BY-NC-ND licence, but they can also translate, make remixes, and produce new stories based on your work. All new work based on yours will carry the same licence, so any derivatives will also be non- commercial in nature. |
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CC BY-NC-ND Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives This licence is the most restrictive of the six main licences, allowing redistribution. This licence is often called the “free advertising” licence because it allows others to download your works and share them with others as long as they mention you and link back to you, but they can’t change them in any way or use them commercially. |
This infographic from Foter.com shows you how to use free, Creative Commons-licensed photos on your website.
(Adapted from 2010 Erik Christensen © CC-BY 3.0.)
More Help Navigating Copyright In Manitoba
Check out these great resources to help you understand the copyright implications of an OER, tailored to your location.
As copyright becomes more complex, it is increasingly important for faculty and instructors to stay informed on how teaching and learning materials are influenced by current laws and policies concerning the copying, digitization, and distribution of copyrighted works.
Below are links to copyright pages provided and maintained by each of Campus Manitoba’s partner institutions.
University College of the North
Université de Saint Boniface does not have a designated copyright page, but provides direct contact information for assistance: 204-237-1818, ext. 208; biblio@ustboniface.ca
