What is a derivative work?

A derivative work is a piece of artwork or other creative work that is based on or derived from another work. In California copyright law, a derivative work is an alteration of a pre-existing work, or a work that is based on the pre-existing work. It must be composed of original material and the additional material must add something substantially new to the work. Examples of derivative works include translations, musical arrangements, and any other form of adaptation. Additionally, manufacturers of products derived from existing works, such as sculptures or toys based on characters from a book, are considered derivative works. Generally speaking, copyright law protects the rights of the original author as well as creators of derivative works. Thus, if someone wants to produce a derivative work, they may need to get permission from the original author.

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