Understanding the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 License

The Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License (CC BY-ND 4.0) is a widely used copyright license that allows for the reuse of creative works under specific conditions. This license grants permission to share and reproduce material, but crucially, it prohibits the creation of derivative works. This means the original material cannot be altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. Emory University utilizes this license for its news media, among other applications.

Key Definitions

To fully understand the CC BY-ND 4.0 license, it’s important to define some key terms:

• Adapted Material: Any function based on or derived from the original “Licensed Material” that requires permission from the copyright holder.
• Copyright and Similar Rights: Rights related to copyright, including performance, broadcast, and database rights.
• Effective Technological Measures: Technologies used to control access to copyrighted works.
• Exceptions and Limitations: Legal exceptions to copyright, such as fair utilize.
• Licensed Material: The original work to which the license applies.
• Licensed Rights: The permissions granted by the license to use the material.
• Share: To distribute or make the material available to the public.

License Grant and Usage Rights

The CC BY-ND 4.0 license grants a worldwide, royalty-free, non-sublicensable, non-exclusive, and irrevocable license to use the Licensed Material. Specifically, you are permitted to:

• Reproduce and share the material in its original form.
• Reproduce the material for personal use, but not share adapted versions.

The license applies to all media and formats, both current and future, and allows for technical modifications necessary to use the material, as long as those modifications do not create adapted material.

Conditions of Use: Attribution Requirements

If you share the Licensed Material, you must provide attribution to the original creator. This attribution should include:

• The name of the creator(s).
• A copyright notice.
• A link to the license itself.
• A disclaimer of warranties.
• A link or URI to the original material, when possible.
• Indication of any modifications made to the original material.

However, you are not permitted to share adapted material under this license.

Important Considerations

• No Downstream Restrictions: You cannot impose additional restrictions on others who receive the Licensed Material.
• No Endorsement: Using the material does not imply endorsement by the Licensor.
• Disclaimer of Warranties: The Licensor provides the material “as-is” with no warranties.
• Limitation of Liability: The Licensor is not liable for any damages arising from the use of the material.

Term and Termination

The license remains in effect for the duration of the copyright on the Licensed Material. However, your rights under the license will terminate automatically if you fail to comply with its terms. The license can be reinstated if the violation is cured within 30 days, or upon express reinstatement by the Licensor.

Creative Commons and Emory University

Emory University utilizes the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License for its news media. Downloading and using Emory news media signifies your agreement to abide by the terms of this license. More information on Emory’s specific terms of use can be found here. Emory Libraries likewise provides resources on Copyright for Creators and Open Access, including information on Creative Commons licenses.