New York — Google, being a champion behind efforts to make the world’s information “universally accessible and useful” and Creative Commons, a nonprofit Copyright campaign advocacy group, last week announced that it has received a gift from Google co-founder Sergey Brin and his wife, Anne Wojcicki, co-founder of 23andMe — to the tune of $500,000.
One intriguing question is exactly whose checkbook the donation issued from; a post on the Creative Commons blog always puts Wojcicki’s name first when naming the pair. A relevant point is that “Fortune” attached Brin’s net worth at $12 billion in mid-March.
A post over at the Creative Commons blog says:
“Today’s challenging economic climate has made it difficult for nonprofit organizations like Creative Commons to raise funds, making Wojcicki and Brin’s wonderful gift all the more appreciated. CC is busier than ever — we are working with artists, scientists, educators, students, programmers, entrepreneurs, companies, universities, governments, and cultural institutions around the world to increase sharing and improve collaboration in ways that benefit all parts of society.”
The funds will be utilized to finance Creative Commons generally, with a focus on developing its Science Commons project, which advocates for less restrictive patents and greater access to scientific research.
“This gift–made in addition to the financial support that Google offers CC annually — will be utilized to finance Creative Commons generally, with a focus on developing its Science Commons project, which advocates for less restrictive patents and greater access to scientific research, which Wojcicki and Brin are particularly excited about.”
Wojcicki is the co-founder of genetics start-up 23andMe.
But anyway, Melissa Reeder, a development manager at Creative Commons, responded to their donation by writing, “We are delighted that the couple recognizes the importance of Creative Commons and has decided to invest in our work to support sharing, collaboration, and the spread of knowledge and creativity.”
Creative Commons founder Lawrence Lessig resigned from the organization last year in order to focus on a new initiative, Change Congress. But at the same time that it announced Lessig’s departure, the organization also announced a $4 million grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Creative Commons unveiled the Science Commons project in 2004, aiming to steer the nonprofit’s efforts into the world of patents and scientific research.
To find out more about Creative Commons, go here.