Can I translate and use free online course materials on my website?

Seeking Advice Forum
1

Hi everyone,

I have a question about using materials from free online courses. I want to translate the materials, assets, and data into a language that’s not currently available from the original creator. My plan is to use them on my own website for non-profit purposes, meaning there won’t be any monetization or selling involved.

Does this make sense? My English isn’t perfect, and I’m not great at learning new languages. I’ve tried reaching out to the original creators, but responses are slow or nonexistent. Can I use these online course materials under Creative Commons licensing for non-commercial use?

Thanks for your help!

2

I think it depends on the specific Creative Commons license. Some allow for translations as long as it’s not for commercial use. Make sure to check the license details!

3

SophiaWilliams said:
I think it depends on the specific Creative Commons license. Some allow for translations as long as it’s not for commercial use. Make sure to check the license details!

Thanks! I’ll double-check the licenses to make sure I’m following the rules.

4

If the original license permits, you should be okay. Just make sure to give proper attribution to the creators.

5

Danielle said:
If the original license permits, you should be okay. Just make sure to give proper attribution to the creators.

Got it, proper attribution is important. Appreciate the advice!

6

Have you considered using platforms like Wikimedia Commons? They have a lot of resources under Creative Commons licenses that might be easier to work with.

7

DennisJohn2 said:
Have you considered using platforms like Wikimedia Commons? They have a lot of resources under Creative Commons licenses that might be easier to work with.

I haven’t checked them out yet, but that sounds like a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion!

8

Make sure your website clearly states that it’s for non-profit use and that you’re complying with the license terms.

9

Amos said:
Make sure your website clearly states that it’s for non-profit use and that you’re complying with the license terms.

Absolutely, I’ll make sure to include that information on my site.

10

If you’re unsure, it might be worth consulting with a legal expert to avoid any potential issues.

11

Adi said:
If you’re unsure, it might be worth consulting with a legal expert to avoid any potential issues.

That’s a good point. I’ll look into getting some legal advice just to be safe.