Intellectual Property & Creative Commons FAQ

Thank you for your interest in using our material!We are generally happy when other companies are able to use and gain benefit from our Intellectual Property (IP). However, there are some things that make us very unhappy.Please note that information below is a summary of the creative commons license and is not a substitute for the terms of the actual license, which govern the use of any IP subject to the license. This summary has no legal value and is not a license.Much of our material uses creative commons licensing. That generally means that if you want to use it for yourself and you do not make any money directly by reselling, it's ok.In common-sense terms, if you are using our material to compete against us, that's not cool.More specifically, to use our material:

Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests Kromatic endorses you or your use without our specific approval.
Non-Commercial — You may not use the material for any commercial purposes.
ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon IP, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.

Examples

Good	Bad
I've used the Learn S.M.A.R.T. Template to write out experiments for my SaaS product.	I've created an online course to teach others how to design experiments using the Learn S.M.A.R.T. Template.
I mention the Learn S.I.M.P.L.E. Template in my presentation and clearly indicate Kromatic's authorship and link back to the source material.	I removed the Kromatic logo from the Learn S.I.M.P.L.E. Template and put my own logo on it so it looks like I created it.
I made a new version of the Innovation Ecosystem Map that I'm sharing with others for free on my blog.	I've made a new version of the Innovation Ecosystem Map that I refuse to share with others.
I love the Value Proposition Comprehension Test and I share a link on my blog.	I allow users to download the Value Proposition Comprehension Test on my website behind a paywall or signup form.

DisclaimerAs we mentioned before, this page is simply a summary of some of the main points of the creative commons license and has no legal effect. Before using any material subject to creative commons licensing, you should read the terms of the actual license and consult with an IP lawyer. We are (obviously) not a law firm and this webpage is being provided for your convenience and shouldn't be construed as any kind of legal advice.F.A.Q.Can I use your materials and frameworks?In general, yes! But specific context matters. If you are using one of our creative-commons frameworks for making progress on your own project, you are free to do so, provided your use complies with the terms of the license.If you are selling or making money from one of our creative commons templates, that is not permitted. Please check the individual license on the template to be certain, but contact us if you intend to charge money through the use of some of our work.Can I teach your materials and frameworks?Yes, so long as your class or teaching is free. We're really happy if you teach startups (who tend not to have any money anyway).If you would like to teach our material and get paid for it, please either take part in our Innovation Coach Program or contact us.Can I make my own version of your materials and frameworks?Yes, feel free. You just need to use the same license.That means you cannot take your modification and try to sell it. It must be distributed for free under the terms of the applicable license.Can I use your material in my slideshows and presentations?Yes, as long as you give credit on the slide, meaning you must provide proper attribution to the creator (us), a copyright notice, a license notice, and a link to the license itself.If you are charging someone for giving the presentation, it is not technically allowed, but as long as you are not teaching someone how to use the template step-by-step in a workshop setting, it is probably ok with us.To make sure, just send us a quick message and we'll respond quickly and give you permission.If I hire you to modify your creative commons materials for my company, can I use your materials? (Work for Hire)If the material we create is modified from existing material under creative commons, we will extend the license so you can use any modifications within your company. However, you still cannot resell the material, and all other terms will still apply unless we have negotiated specific terms.If we create material specifically for your company, the terms of the license will depend on the contract entered into between us. This can be done as a work-for-hire, in which case your company would own the material.If you have specific questions, please contact us.Are you going to sue me?We sure hope not. Some basic rules to follow to avoid trouble: just don't be a jerk and give credit where credit is due (a good general policy).