What counts as an adaptation under a Creative Commons licence?
Check NoDerivatives (ND) first. If the original carries ND, sharing adapted material is not permitted. The line between an adaptation and a non-adaptation under the 4.0 legal code is drawn by applicable copyright law, not by a single CC rule. Decide whether your use is an adaptation or a collection. Then test ND, SA and the adapter-licence consequences.
Copyright Law Decides, Not CC
CC licences operate on top of copyright. They grant permissions that the law would otherwise reserve to the licensor. Whether a particular modification creates an adaptation is a question of the copyright law in the jurisdiction where the work is used. The 4.0 licences do not declare a universal boundary. The dossier states clearly: do not declare a universal boundary. If you are unsure, treat the modification as an adaptation and test the licence conditions accordingly.
The Three Categorical Examples In 4.0
Version 4.0 names three specific cases. Translation is normally an adaptation. Synchronising music with a moving image is expressly Adapted Material under the 4.0 definition. Reproduction in a different format alone, converting a PDF to plain text, does not create Adapted Material. Outside those three, copyright law decides. Do not assume a simple edit or a remix automatically qualifies or disqualifies.
| Act | Adaptation? | Collection? | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Translate the work | Yes — normally | No | Adapter applies own licence; original licence and attribution must remain |
| Synchronise music to video | Yes — expressly in 4.0 | No | Adapter's licence covers new contribution; original notices stay |
| Crop a photograph | Depends on copyright law | No — not a collection | If adaptation, check ND and SA; if not, treat as unadapted sharing |
| Compile unchanged essays | No — each essay independent | Yes — anthology | Each work keeps its own licence; collection licence does not replace them |
| Remix two SA-licensed songs | Yes — integrated work | No | Must use a compatible SA licence for the adapter's contribution; check compatibility chart |
Test ND, SA And The Adapter-Licence Consequences
Once you decide the use is an adaptation, three checks follow.
NoDerivatives Blocks Sharing
If the original uses an ND licence, CC BY-ND or CC BY-NC-ND, you may make adapted material for private use but you may not share it. Sharing is not permitted. That includes translation, synchronisation or any modification requiring copyright permission. The only way to share is to obtain separate permission from the licensor or rely on a copyright exception such as fair use or fair dealing, which operates independently of the licence.
ShareAlike Applies When Adapted Material Is Shared
The SA condition triggers only when Adapted Material is shared, not when unchanged material sits in a collection. The adapter must apply the licence named by the applicable SA clause, CC BY-SA or CC BY-NC-SA, or an officially designated compatible licence. The official compatibility list controls. One-way compatibility from BY-SA 4.0 to GPLv3 exists. Do not assume two SA licences are compatible in the reverse direction or outside that list.
Adapter-Licence Scope
Only the contribution made by the adapter is covered by the adapter's licence. Notices for the original must remain. The adapter cannot upgrade the original work's licence or remove the original attribution. If the original carries an SA requirement, the adapter's contribution must carry the same or a compatible SA licence when shared.
Common Questions
Is cropping a photo an adaptation?
It depends on applicable copyright law. The CC 4.0 legal code does not declare a universal boundary for cropping. If copyright law in your jurisdiction considers cropping a derivative work, it is an adaptation. If not, it is not. Treat it as an adaptation and check ND and SA before sharing.
Can I share a translation of a CC BY-ND work?
No. ND licences do not permit sharing Adapted Material. Translation is normally an adaptation under 4.0. Sharing the translation would breach the licence. You may make a private translation, but you cannot distribute it.
What happens if I combine two CC BY-SA works?
Combining material does not automatically make the combination lawful. Each work retains its own licence. The adapter's contribution must use a compatible SA licence. Use the official compatibility chart. If the two inputs impose incompatible SA terms, you cannot share the combination.
Does adding a watermark create an adaptation?
It depends on whether the watermark requires copyright permission. A simple overlay of text that does not alter the underlying expression may not be an adaptation. If the watermark modifies the work in a way that copyright law treats as a derivative, it is an adaptation. The safe approach is to treat it as one.
Is a compilation of CC-licensed songs an adaptation or a collection?
If the songs are unchanged and kept separate, individual tracks on a playlist, it is a collection. Each song keeps its own licence. If you remix the songs into a single integrated track, that is an adaptation. The difference is whether the works remain independent or are merged into a new whole.