Sharealike

/ʃɛrəlaɪk/ adjective

Definition

A licensing term requiring that derivative works be distributed under the same license as the original. Most commonly associated with Creative Commons licensing.

Etymology

Modern compound word from 'share' + 'alike,' emerging in the early 2000s with Creative Commons licensing. The concept reflects the digital age's approach to intellectual property, emphasizing collaborative creation over restrictive ownership.

Kelly Says

ShareAlike licensing is like a viral generosity clause - it ensures that if someone builds upon your creative work, they must pass on the same freedoms you gave them! This 'copyleft' approach has enabled massive collaborative projects like Wikipedia, creating a commons of knowledge that grows stronger with each contribution.

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