The Copyfree Standard
The Copyfree Standard is a specification of the characteristics that define a copyfree license -- essentially an itemized checklist implementing the copyfree policy. Before a license can be considered a copyfree license, it must conform to the requirements of the Copyfree Standard as listed below. The criteria for qualification as a copyfree license are:
Free Use
A copyfree license does not place any restrictions on the use of the licensed material, and protects recipients of the material from such restrictions except insofar as explicit individual contractual agreements are concerned.
Free Distribution
A copyfree license does not place any restrictions on the distribution of the licensed material, and protects recipients of the material from such restrictions except insofar as explicit individual contractual agreements are concerned.
Free Modification and Derivation
A copyfree license does not place any restrictions on the modification of -- and derivation from -- the licensed material, and protects recipients of the material from such restrictions except insofar as explicit individual contractual agreements may be concerned.
Free Application
A copyfree license does not place any restrictions on the material that can be licensed under its terms, and protects recipients of the material from such restrictions except insofar as explicit individual contractual agreements may be concerned.
Free Combination
A copyfree license does not place any restrictions on materials outside of the licensed material itself.
Universal Application
A copyfree license does not place any restrictions on who benefits from the terms of the licensed material, except in the event it specifies provisions to revoke its terms for those found to have violated the copyfree protections of the license. The license is also applicable to recipients of the material distributed under its terms without requiring the execution of any additional license by the distributing and receiving parties.
Copyfree Standard Certification
Licenses that have already been certified as Copyfree Standard compliant are listed at the copyfree.org licenses page.
A license may be certified to comply with the Copyfree Standard by submitting it for review.