derivative work

noun

In copyright law, a work that is a variation of an original work sufficiently similar to contain protected elements of the original work, but sufficiently different to qualify for copyright protection independent of the original work.

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Meanings

nounderivative work (plural derivative works)

plural derivative works

  1. lawIn copyright law, a work that is a variation of an original work sufficiently similar to contain protected elements of the original work, but sufficiently different to qualify for copyright protection independent of the original work.
Cite this entry
APA

derivative work. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/derivative%20work

MLA

“derivative work.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/derivative%20work. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “derivative work,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/derivative%20work.

Source: derivative work on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.