Creative Commons

Creative Commons is a non-profit organization that assists the average citizen who might want to protect his/her rights to ideas and creative work, but who doesn't necessarily have the understanding of how to do so and/or who might not want to completely block all use of the product or idea. As seen with the example of the bassist who contributed to the White Stripes album after it was released (on CreativeCommons.org), having the option to share your work with others can lead to some great collaborations with people you haven't even met. Because of this, ideas aren't created out of the ether and then left to get stagnant; they are developed, shared, and helped to grow into even more creative and amazing products.
With a standard copyright, you can't do anything with the product, whether it's to use it or to change it, without the express written permission of the person or group who owns the copyright. This means that using most of the copyrighted work out there requires a time-consuming process to get any permissions when it's difficult and/or not financially feasible to purchase rights. The CC copyright means that, as long as the creator has given permission as part of the copyright, people can have relatively free use of the product or idea. If the creator says that you can use it freely as long as you give him/her credit, then that frees the next person to use the creation, and maybe even build on it. This means that ideas around the world can be shared more freely, can develop and evolve more quickly, and can be used by the average person more easily than if a standard copyright had been used.
As an individual, this means that I can access ideas, software, music, movies, etc... that have the CC copyright and, if permission is already embedded in it, I can use these freely for my personal or professional life. As an LMT, this means that I can have access to all sorts of information online that I can use to benefit the teachers and students at my school. We can share lessons plans, unit plans, organizers, podcasts, vodcasts, movies, and all kinds of other creations to help our students to grow and learn. I can also use these items to promote the LMC and guide professional developments. And if I have some creation or idea, I now have a way to get it out there without worrying that I won't get credit for my own work.

And for a little fun with music copyright, here's a little Weird Al...
http://one.revver.com/watch/56451/format/flv/affiliate/24243