What is the difference between a collection and an adaptation?
A collection keeps separate works separate, like unchanged essays in an anthology. Each work retains its own license. An adaptation modifies the original work in a way that requires copyright permission. The decisive condition is NoDerivatives: if the source uses ND, you cannot share an adaptation of it. Confirm the exact license on the original source page, then decide. Are you merely grouping unchanged works, or are you creating something new based on them?
The Core Distinction: Collection Vs. Adaptation
Decide first whether your use is a collection or an adaptation. That decision controls which license conditions apply. A collection adds no creative transformation. An anthology of short stories, a playlist of songs, a composite image that simply places separate photos side by side without altering them: these are collections. Each work in the collection keeps its original license. The collection organiser does not replace those terms with their own.
What Makes Something An Adaptation
Adapted Material is based on and modifies the licensed work in a way that would require copyright permission if the license did not already grant it. Creative Commons 4.0 states that translation is normally an adaptation. Synchronising music with a moving image is expressly Adapted Material under 4.0. Cropping, excerpting, editing, or combining material may or may not create an adaptation. Applicable copyright law decides. There is no universal boundary.
Testing ND, SA And The Adapter License
Once you classify the use, test it against the license conditions. If the source uses a NoDerivatives license, sharing Adapted Material is not permitted. The ND condition blocks the entire adaptation route. If the source uses ShareAlike, the condition triggers only when Adapted Material is shared. Unchanged material appearing beside other separate works in a collection does not trigger it. The adapter must then apply the license named by the applicable SA clause, or an officially designated compatible license. Do not assume two SA licenses are compatible. Creative Commons publishes an official compatibility list that controls this decision.
When Combining Creates A License Conflict
Combining material is not automatically lawful because each input uses a Creative Commons license. Two inputs can impose incompatible terms. A BY-SA work and a BY-NC-SA work may conflict on the commercial nature of the result. Check the official terms individually. Distinguish mere aggregation from an integrated adaptation. A collection that keeps separate works separate avoids the SA trigger. The condition applies only when Adapted Material is shared, not when unchanged work sits beside other works. An integrated adaptation that mixes elements from multiple sources must satisfy every source license at once. That may be impossible.
| Factor | Collection | Adaptation |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Separate works kept separate, no creative transformation | Work based on and modifies the original requiring permission |
| License Treatment | Each work retains its own license; collection license does not replace them | Only the adapter's contribution is covered by the adapter's license; original notices must remain |
| ND License | Allowed: unchanged works can appear together in the collection | Not allowed: sharing Adapted Material from an ND source is prohibited |
| SA License | SA condition not triggered by mere aggregation | SA condition triggered when Adapted Material is shared; must use named or compatible license |
| Examples | Anthology of essays, playlist of songs, composite of unaltered photos | Translation, music synched to video, edited or remixed work |
| Copyright Permission Needed | No additional permission beyond the original licenses | Requires permission unless the source license explicitly allows adaptations |
Practical Steps For A Remix Or Compilation
Open the original source page. Do not rely on a repost, a search thumbnail, or a platform filter alone. Record the creator, the source URL, the exact license and version, displayed notices, exclusions, and the date checked. Preserve a screenshot when the use matters. Confirm the intended activity: share unchanged, adapt, use commercially, or combine. Test NC, ND, and SA against that activity. Check non-copyright permissions: people depicted or recorded, brands, data, location or property restrictions, confidentiality, and platform rules. Attribute in a reasonable manner. Link the exact license, mark changes, and avoid implying endorsement.
The Failure Case: What Goes Wrong Most Often
A common failure is assuming that because a work uses a Creative Commons license, you can freely remix it with anything else. The ND condition on one input or an SA incompatibility between two inputs can block the entire project. Check each source license individually before combining. If you encounter a conflict, you have three options. Use only sources whose licenses are mutually compatible. Obtain separate permission from the licensor to waive the conflicting condition. Or abandon the combination and use the works separately in a collection.
Common Questions
Does putting works in a playlist create an adaptation?
No. A playlist that simply lists unchanged works in a sequence is a collection, not an adaptation. Each work keeps its original license. The SA condition is not triggered.
If I crop a photo from a BY-ND work, can I share it?
Cropping may or may not create an adaptation, depending on applicable copyright law. If it is an adaptation, sharing it is not permitted under the ND license. The safest route is to seek separate permission from the licensor.
Do I need to apply a license to my own collection or adaptation?
Only your original contribution needs a license. The adapter's license covers the changes and additions you make, not the underlying works. You must keep the original notices.
Can I use a BY-SA work in a project that I license BY-NC?
No. The BY-SA condition requires that Adapted Material be shared under BY-SA or an officially compatible license. BY-NC is not compatible with BY-SA. You would need to use BY-SA for the adapted parts or get permission from the original licensor.