Can I train an AI model on CC BY-NC-SA content?

Short answer: Training a commercial model: No. Non-commercial research training: Needs review.

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 allows non-commercial use only, and adaptations must be shared under the same license.

Training a commercial model: No

License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0, curated)

• CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 prohibits commercial_use.

Duties: attribution, license_notice, state_changes, no_additional_restrictions, share_alike

Non-commercial research training: Needs review

License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0, curated)

• Creative Commons licenses grant rights to reproduce and adapt the material, with conditions that apply when it or an adaptation is shared. Whether training a model creates an adaptation, and how attribution applies to a trained model or its output, is not settled; Creative Commons notes that training may also fall under exceptions such as fair use. A human reviewer should confirm this use for your case.

Duties: attribution, license_notice, state_changes, no_additional_restrictions, share_alike

Context

• Creative Commons notes that whether training is an adaptation depends on local law; the non-commercial condition applies regardless.

Sources

• CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 legal code
• Creative Commons: Using CC-licensed works for AI training

Check it yourself (free, no key)

{
  "tool": "check_license",
  "arguments": {
    "license": "CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0",
    "intended_use": {
      "model_training": true,
      "commercial_use": true
    }
  }
}

Computed from Rightshold's license profiles; not legal advice. Updated 2026-10-23. JSON · Markdown