Contract Glossary
Derivative Work
Definition
A new work based on or adapted from an existing copyrighted work. Translations, movie adaptations, remixes, and sequel novels are all derivative works. Creating one without the copyright holder's permission is infringement.
In Practice
You hire a designer to create illustrations based on your company's existing brand characters. Those illustrations are derivative works, they're based on the original character designs. Your contract should specify who owns the derivatives and whether the creator can make additional ones. Without clear IP clauses, ownership gets murky fast.
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