Research Guides: Open Educational Resources: Using Creative Commons Licensed Materials

Finding Licensed Materials

Just because a file is available online does not mean it can be redistributed or modified.

Many sites offer files and media that are covered by Creative Commons licenses that permit use or the creation of derivative works.

The sites listed on this page either offer all their files under a Creative Commons license or make it easy to limit searches or results to Creative Commons licensed materials.

None of the sites requires a sign-up/log-in to search or download materials.

Recommendations:

Check the Creative Commons license for the material you want to use, and follow any limitations
Make sure to attribute any use of Creative Commons licensed materials. (Check "Attributing CC-Licensed Works" for assistance.)
Contact the creators/license holders of files if there are any questions about how they allow their works to be used.

General Searches

OpenVerse
Search for Creative Commons licensed materials available in sites such as Flickr, Google Images, YouTube, as well as many others.
Google Advanced Search
Google Advanced Search has a "narrow results" option to limit by usage rights.
Wikimedia Commons
All the media files at this site are in the public domain or have a Creative Commons license.

Images

Flickr.com: Creative Commons
Search for photos by a specific Creative Commons license by clicking on the "Find More" link associated with each license or use the "Advanced Search" option and select the Creative Commons search box.
Pixabay
This site contains thousands of photos that are in the public domain. Read the site's "Terms of Service and Privacy Policy" before using the images.
Creativity103.com
This site includes background images and textures. All are covered under the Creative Commons Attribution license. More information and instructions on how to format the attribution are available.
OpenClipArt
All the clip art in this collection is in the public domain, and can be used or modified freely. (more information)

Video

YouTube: Creative Commons
To find videos with CC licenses, do a search and then use the "Filter" function to select "Creative Commons."
Vimeo: Creative Commons
Vimeo allows you to browse videos by CC license, or you can search for videos by keyword and then use the "Advanced Filters" to select the type of license.
Moving Image Archive
All videos in this collection are free and open for anyone to use.
Internet Archives' Stock Footage Collection
All videos in this collection have some type of Creative Commons license or are in the public domain.

Audio

Jamendo.com
All songs on the site are covered under a Creative Commons license.
dig.ccmixter
All songs on the site are covered under a Creative Commons license.
SoundClick.com
Limit your search to Creative Commons license type. The results list will also indicate if you can modify each song or only share it.
SoundBible
All the sounds on this site can be used and modified freely. Check each sound's specific license to determine if it can be used for commercial purposes.