Cathy Casserly, CEO of Creative Commons (CC), wrote a blog post published on Wednesday reminding the public that its Creative Commons video program on YouTube is still up and running -- and has added 40 years of video in the past year since its launch.
"Four million creative commons videos on YouTube are just waiting to be reused, remixed, and reimagined," Casserly wrote.
The program, referred to as "CC BY" allows users to borrow media, edit it and share it without the threat of copyright violations.
"Do you need a professional opening for your San Francisco vacation video?" the blog post suggests. "Perhaps some gorgeous footage of the moon for your science project? How about a squirrel eating a walnut to accompany your hot new dubstep track?"
YouTube users can borrow content in videos marked "CC BY" and edit it in YouTube Video Editor.
"Free tools like the YouTube Editor are essential in helping democratize video," Casserly said.
Creative Commons licensing allows photographers and videographers to circulate their work, while letting publications and businesses take visuals from their large selection.
YouTube give you this scenario: "Imagine seeing your footage used by a student in Mumbai, a filmmaker in Mexico City, or a music video director in Detroit. By letting other people play with your videos, you let them into a global sandbox, kicking off a worldwide team of collaborators."
If you're interested in including your YouTube videos to the CC BY program follow these steps: Once you upload a video on YouTube, select “Creative Commons Attribution license” from the “License and rights ownership” menu.
Will you include your videos into YouTube's CC BY section? Share with us in the comments.
iStockphoto, EricVega