{
  "question": "Can I train an AI model on CC0 material?",
  "slug": "can-i-train-ai-on-cc0",
  "url": "https://www.rightshold.com/answers/can-i-train-ai-on-cc0",
  "short_answer": "Training a model: Yes. Training a model you use commercially: Yes.",
  "framing": "Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal (CC0-1.0): Dedicates the work to the public domain: copyright and related rights are waived as far as the law allows, with a fallback license where they cannot be.",
  "checks": [
    {
      "label": "Training a model",
      "license": "CC0-1.0",
      "license_name": "Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal",
      "intended_use": {
        "model_training": true
      },
      "verdict": "permitted",
      "answer": "Yes",
      "findings": [
        "Every use you described is granted by CC0, and nothing you described is prohibited."
      ],
      "duties": [],
      "curation": "curated",
      "official_text": "https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode"
    },
    {
      "label": "Training a model you use commercially",
      "license": "CC0-1.0",
      "license_name": "Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal",
      "intended_use": {
        "model_training": true,
        "commercial_use": true
      },
      "verdict": "permitted",
      "answer": "Yes",
      "findings": [
        "Every use you described is granted by CC0, and nothing you described is prohibited."
      ],
      "duties": [],
      "curation": "curated",
      "official_text": "https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode"
    }
  ],
  "context": [
    "Whether a trained model is a copy or adaptation of its training data is legally unsettled; where the license does not settle it, Rightshold marks training for human review instead of guessing.",
    "Trademark and patent rights are not waived (section 4(a)).",
    "No warranties are given (section 4(b))."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal: official text",
      "url": "https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode"
    },
    {
      "title": "CC0-1.0 on the SPDX License List",
      "url": "https://spdx.org/licenses/CC0-1.0.html"
    }
  ],
  "check_it_yourself": {
    "mcp": {
      "tool": "check_license",
      "arguments": {
        "license": "CC0-1.0",
        "intended_use": {
          "model_training": true
        }
      }
    },
    "rest": "POST https://www.rightshold.com/v1/licenses/check"
  },
  "computed_from": "Rightshold license profiles at render time; not legal advice",
  "updated": "2026-10-19"
}