4 Licensing Overview

How do I legally use materials on the Internet?

There are many laws governing copyright and ‘fair use’. If you are looking for a legal document to refer to, this is not it. However, this guide will provide you best practices in the legal use of materials on the internet.

There are many materials on the internet that allow you to borrow, use, adapt, combine or otherwise make it your own. These materials are most commonly found under a Public Domain or Creative Commons License. 

There are also materials online that you cannot change, section off or otherwise make your own. These materials are under copyright or a restrictive license.

In the following sections, you will find information on how to address and identify both situations.