What do Creative Commons licenses provide?

Creative Commons licenses are designed to facilitate the sharing and use of creative works under specific conditions determined by the creator. By selecting a Creative Commons license, the creator can specify how others may use their work, such as allowing adaptations, requiring attribution, or prohibiting commercial use. This framework encourages collaboration and democratizes access to creative content, making it easier for artists, educators, and innovators to share their work legally and respectfully.

In contrast, restricting all use of creative works is not aligned with the purpose of Creative Commons, as these licenses aim to enable sharing rather than limit it entirely. Furthermore, while copyrighting creative works is important, Creative Commons licenses do not serve as a method for permanent copyrighting; they operate within the existing framework of copyright law. Lastly, Creative Commons licenses do not inherently provide a mechanism for selling creative works for profit, as they focus on sharing and collaboration, though creators can still choose to use these works commercially if the conditions of the license allow for it.