Where should I put the attribution?
Put the attribution in any reasonable location for the medium. The licence does not mandate a single spot. Section 3(a) of the Creative Commons 4.0 legal code requires attribution "to the extent reasonably practicable". That is the decisive condition. Place the credit directly next to the work, where the viewer sees both together. A consolidated credits page or a clearly labelled section also works, provided the mapping between each work and its credit is obvious.
The License Condition That Controls Placement
Under version 4.0, the licensor must supply the creator and any designated attribution parties, a copyright notice, a notice referring to the license, a warranty disclaimer, and a URI or hyperlink to the material where reasonably practicable. When you reuse the work, keep all of that supplied information and pass it on. You must also link or refer to the exact license and indicate any modifications you have made, preserving earlier modification notices. The legal code does not specify where on the page, in the video, or on the object this information must go. Choose a location that fits the medium, as long as the attribution is reasonable.
Attribution By Medium: What Reasonable Looks Like
Web
Place the credit immediately below the work, or in a footer that appears on every page where the work is used. A consolidated credits page is reasonable if the link from the work to that page is clear and the credits remain readily accessible. Academic citation and license attribution are different things; do both when both apply.
Print the credit on the same page as the work, or on the title page or colophon. For a book with hundreds of images, a single credits section in the back matter works, as long as each image is identified by a caption or number that matches the credits list.
Slides
Put the credit on the slide that contains the work, in a small font at the bottom or in the slide notes. If the slide deck will be distributed separately, move the credit to a dedicated credits slide at the end.
Video
Include the credit in the video itself, either as a text overlay during the work's appearance or in the closing credits. The attribution must stay visible long enough to be read. A YouTube description field that matches the work to the credit is reasonable if the description is the primary place viewers look for credits.
Audio
State the credit audibly at the beginning or end of the recording, or place it in the liner notes, show notes, or the metadata of the audio file. For a podcast, the show notes that accompany each episode are the most common reasonable location.
Exhibitions
Put the credit on a wall label, a handout, or an accessible digital screen next to the work. If the exhibition is temporary, the credit must remain for the entire duration of the show.
| Medium | Legal Minimum (4.0) | Good Practice (TASL) |
|---|---|---|
| Web | Any reasonably practicable location; must link or refer to the license | Title, Author, Source, License near the work |
| Same page or accessible colophon; indicate modifications | Title, Author, Source, License in caption or credits section | |
| Slides | On the slide or in distributed notes; must indicate changes | Title, Author, Source, License on bottom of slide or final credits slide |
| Video | Visible in the video or in accessible description; mark adaptations | Title, Author, Source, License in end credits or overlay |
| Audio | Audible statement, liner notes, metadata, or show notes | Title, Author, Source, License in show notes or audible credit |
| Exhibition | Wall label, handout, or digital screen next to work | Title, Author, Source, License in accessible form near the work |
The TASL Mnemonic And Why It Is Not The Legal Text
TASL, title, author, source, license, is a useful mnemonic, not the complete legal text. For version 4.0, you must also add an indication of modifications and preserve any supplied notices. A TASL without a modification notice fails the condition if the work has been adapted. Relying on TASL alone is a common mistake. Check what the licensor actually supplied. Include everything they asked for, then add your own change notice if needed. The official license terms do not require the work's title when the licensor did not supply it, but including the title is good practice and older versions may require it when supplied.
Common Questions
Can I put the attribution on a separate page or in the back of a book?
Yes, if the mapping between each work and its credit is clear and the credits remain readily accessible. A consolidated credits page is reasonable. The license condition is reasonableness, not proximity.
Do I have to include the work's title in the attribution?
Not under version 4.0 if the licensor did not supply it. Including the title is useful practice. Older versions of Creative Commons licenses may require the title when it was supplied.
What if the licensor asks me to remove the attribution?
Under version 4.0, if the licensor requests it, you must remove the attribution information where reasonably practicable. This is unusual but it is in the legal code.
Does the attribution have to be in the same language as the work?
No. The license does not specify a language. The credit must be reasonable for the medium. A translation is allowed as long as it accurately conveys the required information.
What happens if I put the attribution in the wrong place?
You breach the license. Under version 4.0, rights terminate automatically on breach. They are automatically reinstated if you cure the violation within 30 days of discovering it. Cure does not erase possible liability for the period of violation. Correct the attribution immediately.