What we do

What is Creative Commons?

Creative Commons helps you legally share your knowledge and creativity to build a more equitable, accessible, and innovative world. We unlock the full potential of the internet to drive a new era of development, growth and productivity.

With a network of staff, board, and affiliates around the world, Creative Commons provides free, easy-to-use copyright licenses to make a simple and standardized way to give the public permission to share and use your creative work–on conditions of your choice.

Learn more about our programs
Check out our public reports and financials

To learn more about Creative Commons and our funding agreements, please see our Contributions Policy

Ryan Merkley, CEO
Our work is to build a vibrant, usable commons, powered by collaboration and gratitude.

Global Affiliate Network

Creative Commons Affiliate Network includes over 500 researchers, activists, legal, education and policy advocates, and volunteers who serve as CC representatives in over 85 countries. Working alongside non-governmental institutions, universities, and public agencies, CC affiliates employ region-specific approaches to copyright and intellectual property that help solve local and global challenges.

Learn more about our Affiliate Network

global_affiliates_map

Creative Commons Platforms

We work with the following organizations that are leaders in the content and knowledge sharing movement. Through these platforms, over 1.4 billion works have been shared and counting!

  • flickr
  • bandcamp
  • wikipedia
  • youtube
  • internet_archive
  • vimeo
  • wikimedia
  • fma
  • skills_commons
  • boundless
  • europeana
  • tribe_of_noise
  • jamendo
  • MIT
  • PLOS

Our Programs

Our work spans a variety of different areas and partners working to create a more vibrant commons.