Collective and Derivative Works

The terms collective works and derivative works will be the subject of more rigorous explanation later in the book. For now, it is important only to understand these terms in the context of open source software, as a way of describing what the participants in open source development and licensing actually do.

Before I define these terms, note one thing: Collective works and derivative works are also original works of authorship, and copyright subsists in them. (17 U.S.C. § 103.)

The subject matter of copyright as specified by section 102 includes compilations and derivative works.... (17 U.S.C. § 103.)

The term “compilation” includes collective works. (17 U.S.C. § 101.)

A collective work is:

...A work ... in ...

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