therefore provide a simple solution to express the desire to share and say “Everybody is al- lowed to use my content under the following terms and conditions.” The straightforwardness and comprehensibility of the CC licenses has contributed greatly to their widespread use. They are also legally com- pliant and adapted internationally to the parti- cularities of the different legal systems. People who use CC licenses often do this with the intent to have their works used in social, cultural and educational institutions. CC licen- ses that contain the NC module, which allows only a free, non-commercial use, are often con- sidered as a counter model to a world where even charitable or not-for-profit institutions are charged for every single usage. An example for this are the license fee claims for copying and distributing singing sheets in kindergardens, which have caused public outrage. However, by existing law, the claims are justified. By applying a CC license, many authors want to dissociate themselves from these practices. The choice of the NC module is often also a statement against a style of profiteering deemed inappropriate. However, not every type of commercial use is negative. Quite the contrary – it is neither amo- ral nor detrimental to the community when content is also distributed by those who have a financial interest. Often, the success of cultural and educational work depends highly on exis- ting commercial usages.
3 Why are there different CC licenses? CC licenses reflect the dif- ferent interests of the au- thors. Common to all CC license variants is the mind- set that the usage of content shall be facilitated. But creatives, authors, directors and musici- ans do not all have the same understanding of which usage of their works they want to allow. The six different variants of CC are answering to these demands. They offer a flexible tool to tie the usage to certain conditions. A good ex- ample is the question, if the authors want to allow editing and remixing of their works. For some, it is crucial that their work remains un- changed. These creators can ensure that by ap- plying the No Derivatives module (ND for short), and still allow other usage. Others are interested in having their work used in remixes, collages and mashups. They consi- der the creation of content merely a transitional stage in a process. Their own content is based on the old and shall be developed into newer works. Those who assign a CC license out of this mindset will not choose the No Derivatives restriction.
If you hold the Open Content principle very dear, you can express through the Share-Alike
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