CC BY 4.0 – Attribution

This license lets anyone use, share, or adapt the image for any purpose — even commercially — as long as they give you credit. Think of it as: “You can use it, just mention me.”

Example: A local museum could include your photo in an online display, as long as they say “Photo by Jane Doe.”

CC BY-SA 4.0 – Attribution, Share-Alike

This is like the one above, but with one extra rule: if someone reuses or modifies your image, they must share their version under the same license. Think of it as: “You can use it and share it — but keep it open.”

Example: If someone edits your image for a display, they must also allow others to reuse it in the same way.

CC0 1.0 – Public Domain

This means you’re giving the image to the world with no restrictions at all. Anyone can use it, modify it, or share it without credit. Think of it as: “No strings attached.”

Example: A historical photo you took of a public monument that you want everyone to freely reuse.

Fair Use – Educational / Research

“Fair Use” applies to copyrighted material used for learning, commentary, or research — where no profit is made and the use is reasonable. Think of it as: “Limited use for learning or documenting history.”

Example: A scanned newspaper clipping or a photo from a book used to illustrate a soldier’s story, shared only for educational purposes.

Note: Fair use is recognized under Canadian and international law but can vary by situation — we use it sparingly and respectfully.