DERIVATIVE
derivative,adj. Copyright. Of, relating to, or constituting a work that is taken from, translated
from, adapted from, or in some way further developed from a previous work. • Copyright
protection includes the exclusive right in derivative works, such as a screenplay adapted from a
book, or a variant musical arrangement. See derivative work under WORK(2). [Cases: Copyrights
and Intellectual Property 12(3).]
derivative,n.1. A financial instrument whose value depends on or is derived from the
performance of a secondary source such as an underlying bond, currency, or commodity. — Also
termed derivative instrument.
“Derivatives transactions may be based on the value of foreign currency, U.S. Treasury bonds,
stock indexes, or interest rates. The values of these underlying financial instruments are
determined by market forces, such as movements in interest rates. Within the broad panoply of
derivatives transactions are numerous innovative financial instruments whose objectives may
include a hedge against market risks, management of assets and liabilities, or lowering of funding
costs; derivatives may also be used as speculation for profit.” Procter & Gamble Co. v. Bankers
Trust Co., [1996–1997 Transfer Binder] Fed. Sec. L. Rep. (CCH) ¶ 99,229, at 95,238 (S.D. Ohio
1996).
2. See derivative work under WORK(2). [Blacks Law 8th]