What are the two license types that forbid modifying the image?

Two license types that forbid modifying the image

two license types that forbid modifying the image matter when selecting Creative Commons images for personal or professional use. Understanding these restrictions avoids copyright misunderstandings and prevents improper reuse. Learn the key differences before choosing or sharing licensed images to respect the creator’s stated permissions.

What are the two license types that forbid modifying the image?

Questions about image rights are quite common, especially when you want to use visuals online without risking copyright issues. There is not just one simple answer, as licensing depends on the creators intent. However, the two primary Creative Commons license types that strictly forbid modifying an image are the CC BY-ND and CC BY-NC-ND licenses. ^[1]

Understanding the NoDerivatives (ND) Restriction

The ND in these license names stands for NoDerivatives. When a license includes this term, it means you must share the work exactly as it is. You are generally allowed to copy, distribute, and display the image, but you cannot create any adaptations or derivative works. This is quite restrictive compared to other licenses that allow you to crop, apply filters, or edit the image in any way.

CC BY-ND: Attribution and Integrity

The CC BY-ND (Attribution-NoDerivatives) license allows you to use an image even for commercial purposes, provided you give the original creator proper credit. The catch is that you must keep the image in its original form. I have seen many creators use this for photographs or historical documents they want to preserve intact. It is a solid choice when the integrity of the original work is the priority.

CC BY-NC-ND: The Most Restrictive License

The CC BY-NC-ND (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives) license adds another layer of restriction. Beyond the NoDerivatives rule, it also prohibits any commercial use. This is effectively the most restrictive of the standard Creative Commons set. You^[2] can use these images for personal projects, but you cannot modify them or profit from them in any capacity. It is a very safe, albeit limited, approach for creators.

Why Modification Rights Matter

People often misunderstand what constitutes a derivative work. Simple cropping or color adjustment might seem minor, but legally, those are adaptations. When you choose an image, checking the license is critical. In my experience, most copyright disputes arise from creators simply not realizing ND means do not touch. It is easier to find an image that allows modifications from the start than to face a takedown notice later.

Comparing Modification and Commercial Rights

CC BY-ND

• No, you must share the image intact

• Yes, allowed with proper attribution

CC BY-NC-ND

• No, you must share the image intact

• No, strictly non-commercial

Minh's Project Hiccup in Ho Chi Minh City

Minh, a graphic designer in District 1, was working on a marketing campaign for a local coffee shop. He found a beautiful, high-resolution photo online and assumed it was free to use because he saw it on a public blog.

He cropped the image heavily and added some overlay text to fit his banner. The campaign launched, but within 48 hours, he received an email from the photographer pointing out the CC BY-NC-ND license attached to the original file.

Minh had to scramble to replace the assets. He learned the hard way that he should have filtered his searches for images specifically allowing modifications.

Since then, Minh uses dedicated stock sites that clearly state licensing terms, saving his clients time and avoiding potential legal stress.