Can I train an AI model on CC BY-NC-SA content?
Last updated
TL;DR: Training a commercial model: No. Non-commercial research training: Needs review. CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 allows non-commercial use only, and adaptations must be shared under the same license.
Is training a commercial model allowed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International?
No. CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 prohibits commercial_use.
License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0, curated)
Duties: attribution, license_notice, state_changes, no_additional_restrictions, share_alike
Is non-commercial research training allowed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International?
Needs review. Creative Commons licenses grant rights to reproduce and adapt the material, with conditions that apply when it or an adaptation is shared. Whether training a model creates an adaptation, and how attribution applies to a trained model or its output, is not settled; Creative Commons notes that training may also fall under exceptions such as fair use. A human reviewer should confirm this use for your case.
License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0, curated)
Duties: attribution, license_notice, state_changes, no_additional_restrictions, share_alike
What else should I know?
- Creative Commons notes that whether training is an adaptation depends on local law; the non-commercial condition applies regardless.
What are the sources?
How can I check it myself (free, no key)?
{
"tool": "check_license",
"arguments": {
"license": "CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0",
"intended_use": {
"model_training": true,
"commercial_use": true
}
}
}Computed from a2ally's license profiles; not legal advice. JSON · Markdown
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No card and no email needed. 100 free credits; the license and policy checks stay free without a key.
curl -s -X POST https://www.a2ally.com/v1/accounts/signup -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"accept_terms":true}'
export A2ALLY_API_KEY=rs_... # the api_key from the reply (shown once)
curl -s https://www.a2ally.com/v1/licenses/check -H "Authorization: Bearer $A2ALLY_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"license":"MIT","intended_use":{"commercial_use":true}}'