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Let's say an artist released a photo under a CC licence (for concreteness let's assume the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International). You find the photo interesting and save it for later use, noting the information for later attribution.

Years later you integrate the photo into a commercial work with attribution. In the interim, the artist has removed the photo and the CC licence, and wants you to remove it from your work. Does the artist have any legal rights here?

feetwet
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Hooked
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1 Answers1

17

Short Answer

Based on the facts you supplied, it seems the author's request for removal might be unenforceable.

Explanation

Section 2.a.1. of the license declares the license is irrevocable.

[Emphasis added]:

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Public License, the Licensor hereby grants You a worldwide, royalty-free, non-sublicensable, non-exclusive, irrevocable license to exercise the Licensed Rights in the Licensed Material to:

A. reproduce and Share the Licensed Material, in whole or in part; and

B. produce, reproduce, and Share Adapted Material.

Irrevocable means:

"Unable to cancel or recall; that which is unalterable or irreversible."

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Alexanne Senger
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