A circled CC with a zero, waiving rights as far as the law allows.
Also known as: CC zero
CC0 is not a licence but a waiver: the rights holder gives up their rights so far as the law permits. That is a materially different act from granting permission, and it is why CC0 carries no attribution requirement.
A dedication by which the rights holder waives their copyright and related rights to the fullest extent permitted by law, placing the work as near the public domain as the applicable law allows.
Distinct in kind from the CC licences: those grant permission while retaining copyright, and this gives the rights up. It is the only Creative Commons instrument carrying no attribution requirement.
Some jurisdictions do not allow certain rights to be waived, which is why the dedication is written to take effect as far as the law permits rather than absolutely.
A rounded rectangle outline containing the two C shapes of the Creative Commons mark followed by a numeral zero.
Both are built from circles and letter like forms.
Both are built from circles and letter like forms.