Last October we submitted an initial proposal to get CC license symbols into Unicode. Since then we’ve gotten some feedback from them, incorporated that into our thinking, and submitted an updated application. Here is the new proposal. (The old one for reference here.) The new proposal presents the CC license icons as graphic symbols. We’ve…

Imposing a mandatory and unwaivable compensation scheme violates the letter and spirit of open licensing. Copyright policymakers in Europe and South America have proposed legislation that would impose an unwaivable right to financial remuneration for authors and performers on copyrighted works. The laws attempt to ensure that creators receive payment for their work, but they…

Tell the FCC to protect net neutrality today Creative Commons and dozens of the world’s largest web platforms are joining countless internet users and online communities to take action in support of net neutrality. Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers should treat all online data the same, and not discriminate or charge…

Today is the annual #DayAgainstDRM, a global campaign to raise awareness about the harms of digital rights management (DRM). DRM consists of access control technologies or restrictive licensing agreements that attempt to restrict the use, modification, and distribution of legally-acquired works. There are serious problems with attaching DRM to creative works: not only does it…

“school” by David Howard is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Yesterday we asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York for permission to file an amicus brief in litigation involving the operation of our BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.

As part of our effort to build a more vibrant and usable commons, CC is trying to hone in on what makes sharing truly meaningful.

OpenScore is a new crowdsourcing initiative that aims to digitize classical sheet music by composers whose works are in the public domain, like Mozart and Beethoven.

Film still from GIFT, courtesy of Intuitive Pictures

Inspired by The Gift, Lewis Hyde’s seminal work on creativity, culture, and art, McKenna’s film tells moving stories of remarkable generosity and sharing, from Alaska to Black Rock City to Seoul to New York City.

After more than two years of dedicated effort by an extraordinary group of CC francophone community members from more than 8 countries around the globe, we are delighted to publish the official translations of our 4.0 licenses in French.

Jessamyn West at Desk, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Jessamyn West is a famous librarian, a former Metafilter admin, and a Vermont information technologist with a passion for open knowledge.