Creative Commons is a series of open licenses that provide a simplified method for creators to license materials in a way that is more open to the public. The three-layer design simplifies the CC licenses while still providing versions that can be read and used by lawyers and computers. There are six CC licenses: CC BY, CC BY-SA, CC BY-ND, CC BY-NC, CC BY-NC-SA, and CC BY-NC-ND. Other tools include CC0 and Public Domain Mark. The licenses are designed to be used on a global scale, but the stricter nature of intellectual property laws contrasts with the open nature of Creative Commons licenses. Lawrence Lessig, a Stanford law professor, helped spearhead the CC movement.

The Creative Commons license spectrum includes free cultural works, which are works that can be most readily used, shared, and remixed by others, and go furthest toward creating a commons of freely reusable materials. The two most restrictive licenses, CC BY-NC-ND, do not allow for a work to be changed or adapted; thus, they do not satisfy the Remix aspect of open content as defined by Wiley.

To apply a CC license to a creative work, select the appropriate license and indicate clearly which license is being used. Use a link or write out the URL to the deed of the license being used. More details on choosing and applying a CC license can be found here.

To provide attribution to CC licensed works, use the "title-author-source-license" method or "title-creator-source-license." This format should remain the same unless the creator reasonably states otherwise or if the work was adapted or modified. If a modification is made, mention it in the attribution.

In conclusion, Creative Commons licenses provide a simplified method for creators to license materials in a way that is more open to the public, while also giving audiences the ability to use those works without a need to contact the creator for usage permissions or a constant fear of copyright infringement. By understanding the basics of CC licenses, both creators and audiences can harness the power of open content.