copyright creative-commons
Graphic is CC licensed on one site, but not on another
<p>I found a vector graphic I want to use on a site <em>A</em> that offers free graphics under the Creative Commons License. Later I found that same graphic on a different (paid) site <em>B</em>, under their standard license (which does not allow distribution).</p>

<p>I assume there are two possibilities:</p>

<ol>
<li>Site <em>A</em> bought it from site <em>B</em> and put it under CC license</li>
<li>Site <em>B</em> downloaded it from site <em>A</em> and put it up for sale on their site</li>
</ol>

<p>In either case, can I safely download and use it from site <em>A</em>?  Or is it my responsibility to always try to determine if something has a different license somewhere else?</p>

<p>Case 2 is clearcut: assuming that site <em>A</em> is the author of the artwork, or is the site where the author first published, you've got a clear right to use the work under the given Creative Commons license.</p>

<p>Case 1 is more difficult: transfer of a copy of a work does not, in general, transfer the copyright as well.  Unless site <em>A</em> purchased or otherwise obtained the rights to re-license the work, their Creative Commons license statement is invalid.</p>
