Creative Commons Italy calls for free use of public domain cultural images across EU
Creative Commons Italy is reaching out to EU countries and cultural groups, encouraging them to adopt open licenses for images of cultural works that are in the public domain. They believe that making these images freely available could boost cultural participation and support the creative sectors, tourism, and research, all of which have struggled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their message references Article 14 of the EU Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market, which allows for the use of public domain visual arts without related rights, provided they aren't original creations. Member nations need to integrate this directive into their laws by June 7, 2021. Creative Commons Italy is pushing for full implementation, supported by various European Creative Commons chapters and major cultural organizations. Notably, several prominent institutions, including the Library of Congress and the Rijksmuseum, have already adopted Creative Commons Zero licenses.
Key facts
- Creative Commons Italian Chapter launched an appeal to EU member states and cultural institutions.
- The appeal calls for open licenses for images of public domain cultural works.
- Article 14 of the EU Copyright Directive removes related rights on reproductions of public domain visual arts works.
- The deadline for transposition of the directive is June 7, 2021.
- The appeal is signed by most European Creative Commons chapters and associations including AIB, AISA, ANA, ANAI, ArcheoFoss, CIA, Federculture, ICOM Italia, Wikimedia Italia, Communia, Free Knowledge Advocacy Group EU-Wikimedia, and ICA.
- Institutions already using CC0 licenses include Library of Congress, New York Public Library, Getty Research Institute, Rijksmuseum, National Library of Spain, National Museum of Stockholm, and National Gallery of Denmark.
- The appeal aims to boost research, tourism, and creative industries affected by COVID-19.
- Creative Commons licenses follow an 'some rights reserved' model.
Entities
Institutions
- Creative Commons Italian Chapter
- Creative Commons
- European Union
- Library of Congress
- New York Public Library
- Getty Research Institute
- Rijksmuseum
- National Library of Spain
- National Museum of Stockholm
- National Gallery of Denmark
- Communia
- AIB
- AISA
- ANA
- ANAI
- ArcheoFoss
- CIA
- Federculture
- ICOM Italia
- Wikimedia Italia
- Free Knowledge Advocacy Group EU-Wikimedia
- ICA
Locations
- Italy
- United States
- Spain
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Netherlands