What are the key differences between Creative Commons licenses, and when should each be used?

• A. CC licenses allow unrestricted commercial use
• B. Licenses vary by attribution, commercial use, and ability to modify; attribution is required by CC BY, while others add restrictions like non-commercial or no-derivatives
• C. CC licenses do not require attribution
• D. All CC licenses prohibit redistribution

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that Creative Commons licenses differ by three practical controls: attribution, whether commercial use is allowed, and whether the work can be modified. The correct choice captures that variety: licenses vary by attribution, commercial use, and ability to modify; attribution is required by CC BY, while others add restrictions like non-commercial or no-derivatives. In practice, attribution is a baseline requirement across the entire CC family, but the exact permissions change. CC BY lets others reuse, remix, and even commercialize the work as long as they credit the creator. If a license adds NC, commercial use is not allowed. If a license adds ND, derivatives aren’t allowed. If a license adds SA, derivatives must be shared under the same terms. This framework helps you decide which license fits whether you want attribution, permission for commercial use, and/or the ability to create and share modified versions. The other statements miss important realities: unrestricted commercial use isn’t guaranteed for all CC licenses; attribution is required in all CC licenses; and redistribution is generally allowed under many CC licenses, not prohibited.