What's a Derivative Work?

[mandy]

When it comes to creative works, such as a drawing or a piece of writing or music, the law is pretty clear about what is a derivative work and what isn't. Not so much with software.

If the software is open source -- that is, licensed under the GNU General Public License or a similar license -- the waters get even murkier.

Basically, a derivative work is made when you take someone else's copyrighted work -- such as an image or set of notes -- and make it a part of another work. A simple concept, really, and the legal system's See the HP Proliant DL380 G5 Server with Systems Insight Manager - Click here. stance is more or less clear: You've got to get permission from the copyright holder in order to do it.

If you use someone else's code in your software, the same principle applies -- mostly...

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