This is not an open source project

Author: richard-delorenziCreated Apr 15, 2026Updated Apr 21, 2026

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0) is not an open-source or open-content license because of the "NonCommercial" (NC) restriction. While it allows for sharing and adapting, it fails the definition of "open" by restricting commercial usage, which is a requirement for true open-source, open-definition, or free-culture works.

You can read the Open Source definition. Or you can look at approved licences.

Problematic Aspects of CC BY-NC-SA 4.0:

  • NonCommercial (NC): Limits usage to non-commercial activities.
  • Not for Software: Creative Commons advises against using this for software.

What are true CC open licenses?

Only CC BY and CC BY-SA meet the standards of the "Open Definition" and open access standards, as they allow for commercial

However, none of the CC licences are recommended for software.

Source: nikopueringer/CorridorKey