# Why The Luminary Is CC0

*Open Myths need an Open License*

By [Light Underground](https://paragraph.com/@luminaries) · 2025-05-07

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The Luminary is an open myth — a story meant to be expanded, remixed, and reimagined by anyone.

To make that possible, everything in the core project is released under CC0 — the Creative Commons Zero license — which places it fully in the public domain. That means _anyone can use it_, for any purpose, without asking for permission or giving credit.

  

**Why CC0?**

*   **We want to build a shared cultural commons**, not a closed intellectual property.
    
*   **We believe creativity thrives in public** — when ideas are freely passed, changed, and improved.
    
*   **We want to make it easy for anyone** to write, draw, perform, or build on The Luminary, with no legal friction.
    

This is the same license used by projects like _Nouns_, _Loot_, and many public domain classics.

  

### **What This Means for You**

When you contribute to The Luminary — by posting a story, sharing art, introducing a new character, or suggesting a concept — you're agreeing to release it under the same CC0 license.

**Put simply:** If you post it, you're letting anyone use it.  
Don't post anything you're not comfortable sharing into the commons.

This keeps the world open, remixable, and future-proof — a foundation others can trust to build on.

  

### **Can I Still Use My Work Elsewhere?**

Yes. Releasing something as CC0 means _you can still use it too_. You just can’t stop others from doing the same. If you want to build your own book, game, podcast, or project off what you create here — go for it.

You just can’t claim exclusive rights over anything that’s already part of the shared CC0 pool.

  

### **Want to Contribute Without Going CC0?**

If you have something you’d like to share **without giving up copyright**, reach out. In the future we could be open to featuring selectively licensed work too — as long as it’s clearly marked and consistent with the spirit of the project.

But for most of this world, **CC0 is the rule**. 

That’s how we keep the flame open and the myth alive.

  

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More Details:
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All Luminary materials are released under the [Creative Commons Zero (CC0 1.0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) Public Domain Dedication.

This license allows anyone to:

*   Use, remix, and build upon the work
    
*   Use it for commercial or non-commercial purposes
    
*   Do so without attribution or permission
    

### **Contributor Agreement**

By posting or submitting content to The Luminary project (via our channels, site, or affiliated platforms), you agree to the following:

1.  **You release your contribution under CC0.  
    **This includes all text, images, characters, dialogue, and creative expression you share publicly in association with The Luminary.
    
2.  **You waive all rights to restrict use.  
    **Your contribution may be freely used by anyone for any purpose, including derivative or commercial works.
    
3.  **You retain no exclusive rights.  
    **Others may use your work without credit, permission, or compensation.  
    

If you do **not** wish to release your work under CC0, do not post it or submit it as part of the project.

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*Originally published on [Light Underground](https://paragraph.com/@luminaries/cc0)*