Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions:
- Can I link to your videos?
- Do you have subtitled versions?
- Can I hire you to make a custom video for my business/product/service?
- Can I translate your videos into other languages?
- Are you hiring?
- Can I suggest subjects for future videos?
Licensing and the Common Craft Store:
- What are the rules for sharing your videos?
- Why would I pay for something I can watch for free?
- What kind of license do I need?
- When I purchase a video, how do I receive it?
- Do you work with schools? How?
- Am I required to use a credit card? Can you send an invoice instead? Procurement?
- How are the free online versions different from the licensed versions?
- What is Commercial Licensing?
- How do you define non-commercial?
Can I link to your videos?
Of course. We do not restrict hyper-linking in any way. Our rules apply specifically to sharing videos.
Do you have subtitled versions?
Yes. We share our videos on dotSUB.com, where volunteers provide subtitles in mutiple languages, including English.
Can I hire you to make a custom video for my organization?
While we have worked with a number of clients on custom videos, we have refocused our business on making videos we can offer on this site. However, we created the Common Craft Explainer Network to help organizations find and hire producers of explantory videos. Visit the Network to find out more.
Can I translate the voice over of your videos into other languages?
We do not permit alterations to any Common Craft video without written permission. If you would like to create a translated voice-over, please contact us.
Are you hiring?
No.
Can I suggest subjects for future videos?
Please do - we depend on your suggestions. Just contact us.
Licensing and Responsible Sharing:
What are the rules for sharing your videos?
In general, Common Craft videos cannot be altered in any way, sold or resold, and must be used according to the terms of the licenses. Please consult the License Guide and/or License Agreement for details.
Why would I pay for something I can watch for free?
We encourage everyone to watch the videos. Purchasing a licensed version of the video gives you the ability to use it as a tool for educating and informing others.
What kind of license do I need?
Our Licensing Overview is the best resource for understanding our licensing options.
When I purchase a video, how do I receive it?
In most cases, you will download a video file to your computer immediately after purchase. Our Step-by-Step Purchasing Guide outlines the process.
Do you work with schools? How?
We would love to see our videos be used in classrooms and we have made special arrangements for schools. First, entire school districts, independent and post-secondary schools are only required to purchase a single Site License. Second, we offer a school discount. Apply for a School Discount.
Am I required to use a credit card? Can you send an invoice instead? Procurement?
We are happy to work with you any types of purchases. We can submit an invoice and/or provide any information that is needed. Just contact us with your needs.
How are the free online versions different from the licensed versions?
The licensed versions are different in three ways:
- The licensed videos are presentation quality. This means that they are high resolution and look great on projector screens.
- The licensed videos don't advertise for Common Craft. They do not contain references to "The Common Craft Show" or "Store" We have also removed references to most 3rd party sites.
- In some videos, we have made changes to improve the video's technical quality like color and audio.
What is Commercial Licensing?
Commercial licensing is for companies that would like to display Common Craft videos on a public-facing website. An example is providing videos for the purpose of educating corporate web site visitors. To purchase Commercially Licensed videos, please contact us.
How do you define non-commercial?
This subject is very hard to define and is often up for interpretation. This Creative Commons page represents proposed guidelines and the IRS definition. We ask questions like:
- Is your site selling products and/or services?
- Are you making money through the display of our videos?
If either of these answers is "yes", the web site is commercial and the free versions of our videos cannot be displayed. However, we offer Commercial Licensing for these situations.
