Derivative

In an archival workflow, derivative describes a practical relationship: one file or artifact was produced from another. A cropped image, translated caption, compressed video, or annotated screenshot can be recorded this way. The term alone does not settle the legal classification or reuse permissions of the result. Preserve the source identifier and describe the transformation in plain language. Record who performed it, when, and why it was useful. Keep an unmodified working source where appropriate so readers can compare what changed. A derivative may be easier to read or publish while omitting information important to another question. Do not silently substitute it for the source in a claim about the original object's appearance. Clear relationships between versions make creative adaptation and historical comparison possible without confusing the two.

Editorial review: 2026-09-23. New evidence may change this account.

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