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PolyU Library

Online Tools for Assignment

Introduce useful online tools that may help to prepare your assignment.

Resources beyond the Library

While preparing your work, you may need to use images, videos, or music. All of these creative works are copyright-protected.

To avoid any copyright infringement issues, you may either seek permission to reuse the copyrighted content or consider using open-source and Creative Commons (CC) resources in your work.

This page introduces you to some open-source and Creative Commons (CC) resources.

The Creative Commons (CC) Licences

CC licences are a set of public copyright licences. In general, CC resources can be freely reused on conditions of creators' choice.

It means that:

  • You do not need to ask permission to reuse these creative works.
  • You just need to follow the CC licence terms and conditions.
  • All Creative Commons (CC) licenses require attribution, which includes providing the title, creator, source, and license information. The only exception is for materials that are in the Public Domain.

Creative Commons Symbols

Content Creators attach their CC licenses to their works. These terms and symbols describe permitted uses:

BY -
Attribution

NC -
Noncommercial uses

SA -
Share alike

 ND -
No derivative uses		 CC0 -
Public Domain
Credit (Attribution) must be given to the creator Only non-commercial uses of the work are permitted Adaptations (modified version) must be shared under the same license as the original No derivatives or adaptations of the work are permitted Reuse in any medium or format, with no conditions

Creative Commons License Types

There are different types of Creative Commons (CC) licenses that creators can use for their works with a spectrum of choices between retaining all rights and relinquishing all rights (public domain), each with different permissions and restrictions.

 

Below is a brief introduction to six CC license types:

  Credit (Attribution) must be given to the creator

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

  Credit (Attribution) must be given must be given to the creator

  Adaptations (modified version) must be shared under the same license as the original

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ 

  Credit (Attribution) must be given must be given to the creator

  Only non-commercial uses of the work are permitted

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ 

  Credit (Attribution) must be given must be given to the creator

  Only non-commercial uses of the work are permitted

  Adaptations (modified version) must be shared under the same license as the original

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ 

  Credit (Attribution) must be given must be given to the creator

  No derivatives or adaptations of the work are permitted

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ 

  Credit (Attribution) must be given must be given to the creator

  Only non-commercial uses of the work are permitted

  No derivatives or adaptations of the work are permitted

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ 

The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication 

CC0 (aka CC Zero) is a public dedication tool, which allows others to reuse in any medium or format, with no conditions.

Remarks:

You can click HERE to check out the official CC website for more information about CC licenses.

Library Tips for giving attribution to CC images

All CC licenses except public domain materials require attribution to the creator.

A good attribution for CC images includes the following information:
  1. Title: "U.S. Consulate-General Celebrates Same-sex Marriage Legalization Pride"
  2. Creator: "Can Pac Swire" -  with a link to their profile page (If any)
  3. Source: "U.S. Consulate-General Celebrates Same-sex Marriage Legalization Pride" - with a link to the original content page (If any)
  4. License: "CC BY-NC 2.0" -with link to the license deed
     
Here is an example of the figure note for a CC BY-NC image in APA style
(with all attribution information required by CC Licence):

Note. From U.S. Consulate-General Celebrates Same-sex Marriage Legalization Pride [Photograph], by Can Pac Swire, 2015, Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18378305@N00/19022913698). CC BY-NC 2.0.

 

Library Tips for Images Searching

Royalty Free (RF) image generally requests for a one-time fee that enables you to reuse the images for unlimited times. Some RF materials may be used without the need to pay.

So, you need to check the license terms carefully.

You can find CC images on Google and many other image platforms. Some platforms will provide more detailed license information. Here is an example.

Google Image Other Images Platforms, e.g. Openverse
Largest and most popular image search Less sources
Quick and Easy More unique functions

A relatively brief image and license information

E.g. Usage Rights Filter on Google Image:
All/ Creative Commons licenses/ Commercial & other licenses

A more comprehensive image and license information

E.g. License or Public Domain filters on Openverse:
CC0/ Public Domain Mark/ BY/ BY-SA/ BY-NC/ BY-ND/ BY-NC-SA/ BY-NC-ND

Open Sources & Creative Commons Resources

The below platforms are the good places to find open sources & CC images, videos, music & audios materials for your assignment. Try them now!