Definition

“Open Content” is a still rather new and fuzzy term; in fact, a multitude of definitions exists for open content, and, in some way, each license creates its own. The definition Wikipedia is providing has already been presented on our entrance side.

While the term “content” rather consistently refers to any kind of creative work such as single texts, articles, books, images, audio files, films, etc., different positions are taken in the net concerning the term “open”:

Free (or copyable) Content

This content is “open” only in the sense that it is accessible.

The content may be copied freely, but not changed. It is not really “open” in the sense of “Open Source”, but it is called “open” by some people. In Software, this would be called “Freeware” - Software to which someone holds a copyright (otherwise it would be “public domain”), but allows other people to use the software for free. The fact that “free” can have two meanings (free beer vs. liberty) is a problem. I.e. the Free Software Foundation, which pioneered some important licenses for both software and content uses “free” in the sense of “liberty”. Maybe it would be better to call this content “copyable”.

(truly) Open Content

This is content that may not only be copied freely, but also modified. It is “open” in the sense that it may be changed.

Some other viewpoints consider “open” as “Free for certain users or applications”, i.e. “may be copied freely for personal or academic use”.

For other open content definitions see, for example:

• GNU Free Documentation License
• Open Content License
  (these are definitions directly related with the respective license)

• The Open Source Definition
• Comments and explanations on The Open Source Definition