Creative Commons licences and design: Are the two compatible?

• Author: Catherine Jasserand
• Position: LL.M (University of California, Boalt Hall), DESS (Panthéon-Sorbonne); Researcher at the University of Amsterdam
• Pages: 131-142

Creative Commons licences and design

2011

131

2

Abstract: This article analyses whether Cre-

ative Commons licences are applicable to and com-

patible with design. The first part focuses on the

peculiar and complex nature of a design, which can

benefit from a copyright and a design protection.

This shows how it can affect the use of Creative

Commons licences. The second and third parts deal

with a specific case study. Some Internet platforms

have recently emerged that offer users the possibil-

ity to download blueprints of design products in or-

der to build them. Designers and creative users are

invited to share their blueprints and creations un-

der Creative Commons licences. The second part of

the article assesses whether digital blueprints can be

copyrightable and serve as the subject matter of Cre-

ative Commons licences, while the last part assesses

whether the right to reproduce the digital blueprint,

as provided by Creative Commons licences, extends

to the right to build the product.

Creative Commons licences and design

Are the two compatible?

by Catherine Jasserand,*

LL.M (University of California, Boalt Hall), DESS (Panthéon-Sorbonne);

Researcher at the University of Amsterdam

© 2011 Catherine Jasserand

Everybody may disseminate this ar ticle by electr onic means and make it ava ilable for download under the terms a nd

conditions of the Digit al Peer Publishing Licence (DPPL). A copy of the license tex t may be obtained at http://nbn-resolving.

de/urn:nbn:de:00 09-dppl-v3-en8 .

Recommended citation: Catherine Jasserand, Creative Commons licences an d design: Are the two compatible?, 2 (2011)

JIPITEC 131, para. 1.

Keywords: Creative Commons licences, open content, design, design law, copyright, right of reproduction, digital

blueprints, third-dimensional representation, right of adaptation, derivative works approach

Introduction

1  

    







   

  







  

   



  









2 





    

   





3

  

   



    

  









   

   

   

   

   

