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how to attribute creative commons ?

### How to Attribute Creative Commons: The Ultimate Guide for Creators and Users

Creative Commons (CC) licenses are key in today’s digital world, enabling creators to share their work while preserving some rights. One of the essential conditions of all Creative Commons licenses is attribution, which means giving appropriate credit to the creator. If you use CC-licensed materials in your projects, it is imperative to comply with the associated license’s conditions. The good news is that it’s straightforward to give the right attribution. Let’s dive into the specifics.

#### What is Attribution in Creative Commons?

Attribution in the context of Creative Commons involves crediting the original author(s) and providing necessary source information whenever you use, modify, or share a Creative Commons licensed work. This doesn’t just apply to images; it applies to all types of creative works, including articles, videos, music, and more.

#### How to Properly Attribute Creative Commons

According to Creative Commons, the attribution should include the following pieces of information: the title, the author, the source, and the license. This acronym, known as TASL, is a straightforward mnemonic for remembering the key components of attribution:

– **T**itle: What is the name of the work?
– **A**uthor: Who owns the work?
– **S**ource: Where did you find the work?
– **L**icense: What specific license is the work under?

Let’s illustrate with an example. Suppose you find an image called “Furggelen afterglow” created and licensed by Lukas Schlagenhauf under the CC BY-ND 2.0 license. Your attribution could look like this:

“Furggelen afterglow” by Lukas Schlagenhauf is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

This attribution includes the title, author, work description (in this case, the image is an afterglow scene), and the license type. Note that the exact wording might vary depending on the specifics of the work and the context of its use.

#### Tips for Effective Attribution

1. **Keep it Visible:** Place your attributions in a visible place, whether that’s in the body of a document, as part of the metadata of an image, or on a project website.
2. **URLs and Hyperlinks:** If possible, use a hyperlink to the original work and to the license in your attributions. This helps viewers easily access the original work and learn more about the license terms.
3. **Consistency:** Ensure consistency in how you format your attributions across your work. Consistent attribution helps maintain clarity and respect for the original creators.

#### Common Creative Commons Licenses: A Quick Overview

CC licenses are divided into six standard licenses, all based on the same legal rules and principles but with variations based on the creator’s preferences. The licenses include but are not limited to CC BY, CC BY-ND, CC BY-SA, and others, with CC BY-ND (Attribution-NoDerivs) as a popular license for works that are not to be modified or remixed.

#### How Attribution Helps

Attribution is not just a legal requirement; it’s a foundational principle of ethical content use. By crediting creators, you contribute to the culture of sharing and transparency, and respect the work and effort that authors put into their creations. Additionally, attribution helps the creators get the exposure and recognition they deserve.

#### Conclusion

In summary, using Creative Commons-licensed material can greatly enrich our creative and academic projects. Properly attributing these materials ensures compliance with the license terms and sustains the creative Commons project’s shared ethos. With attributes in place, you can continue to build on the shoulders of giants, acknowledging and respecting the original creators while enriching the knowledge and creative commons for the global community.

For more detailed information and rules about this topic, feel free to visit the Creative Commons [website](https://creativecommons.org), or the [FAQs](https://wiki.creativecommons.org/wiki/Best_practices_for_attribution) pages provided by the organization. You can also find more practical examples and step-by-step guides on platforms such as [Wikibooks](https://wikibooks.org), [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/gamedev/comments/z0vk49/how_to_attribute_creative_commons_in_a_game/) and others.

Remember, giving proper attribution isn’t just a check-the-box requirement; it’s a vital part of fostering a community where creators and users appreciate and support each other’s work.