Creative Commons Catalog

API

Search openly licensed & public domain works via API

Overview

The Creative Commons Catalog API offers RESTful endpoints to search millions of openly licensed (CC BY, CC0, etc.) and public domain works across media types (images, text, audio, video). Key endpoints include `/search` with parameters for filtering by license type, media format, attribution requirements, and keyword. Responses are JSON-formatted, containing metadata like content URLs, creator info, license terms, and attribution guidelines. Use cases: Integrate into content creation tools, educational platforms, or apps needing free-to-use, legally compliant assets.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://api.creativecommons.engineering/')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful API
JSON response format
Filter by license type
Media format filtering
Public domain content support
No authentication required

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Creative Commons Catalog API free to use?

Yes, it is completely free for both non-commercial and commercial use with no hidden fees.

? Does it require an API key?

No, authentication is not required to access any of the API endpoints.

? What is the response format?

All API responses are in JSON format, including detailed metadata about content, licenses, and attribution rules.

Top Alternatives

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Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Open Source Projects

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Free unlimited access
⊕ Diverse media types
⊕ Granular license filtering
⊕ Well-documented
⊕ Supports commercial use

Cons

⊖ Rate limits for high-volume requests
⊖ Limited to CC-licensed/public domain content
⊖ Some sources may have delayed indexing