A New Era of Open? COVID-19 and the Pursuit for Equitable Solutions

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Creative Commons published an article titled, “Now Is the Time for Open Access Policies—Here’s Why” in March 2020. We felt it imperative to underscore the importance of open access, specifically open science, in times of crisis. A lot has changed since March of last year and it’s important to … Read More “A New Era of Open? COVID-19 and the Pursuit for Equitable Solutions”

Our Response To Canada’s Copyright Term Extension Consultation

On 29 January 2020, the Canadian federal government introduced Bill C-4, “An Act to Implement the Agreement between Canada, the United States of America and the United Mexican States” (CUSMA).1 The bill includes a proposal to extend copyright’s term of protection2 by 20 years, moving it from “life of the author + 50 years” (the … Read More “Our Response To Canada’s Copyright Term Extension Consultation”

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Should CC-Licensed Content be Used to Train AI? It Depends.

Developments in artificial intelligence (AI) raise several questions when it comes to the use of copyright material and Creative Commons-licensed content in particular.1 One of them is whether CC-licensed content (e.g. photographs, artworks, text, music, etc.) should be used as input to train AI. To get a sense of the various views on this question, … Read More “Should CC-Licensed Content be Used to Train AI? It Depends.”

Creative Commons Joins the American University’s Efforts to Promote the International Right to Research

American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) has received a three-year grant of $3.8 million from Arcadia, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin, for its Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property (PIJIP). The project will study changes needed in international copyright policy to ensure equity in the production of and access … Read More “Creative Commons Joins the American University’s Efforts to Promote the International Right to Research”

We’re Against Digital Rights Management. Here’s Why.

We at Creative Commons (CC) have long disagreed with the use of digital rights management (DRM) and technological protection measures (TPMs) in the open environment. We believe that DRM and TPMs should not be used to control, limit, prevent or otherwise affect activities and uses allowed under CC licenses’ terms. Plainly, DRM and TPMs are … Read More “We’re Against Digital Rights Management. Here’s Why.”

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Can Open GLAM Reshape the Fashion Heritage Narrative?

On November 2 and 3, 2020, Creative Commons (CC), the European Fashion Heritage Association (EFHA) and the Onassis Foundation held the online symposium: Is Sharing Always Caring? Bringing together 250 participants from 38 countries on four continents— from museum professionals to fashion design students all the way to big fashion brands—the event was an opportunity … Read More “Can Open GLAM Reshape the Fashion Heritage Narrative?”

Implementing the Marrakesh Treaty in Latin America: A Look at the Experiences of Four CC Community Members

Four years ago today, the Marrakesh Treaty entered into force. The Treaty is truly special in the international copyright law universe: it has a clear humanitarian and social development dimension and it’s the first international treaty that focuses on the beneficiaries of limitations and exceptions, rather than on the rights of creators or holders of … Read More “Implementing the Marrakesh Treaty in Latin America: A Look at the Experiences of Four CC Community Members”