How Derivatives Work
Derivative works are one of Knovel's most distinctive features. This section explains how they work, how licensing flows from original to derivative, and what both authors and creators need to know.
What Are Derivative Works on Knovel?
A derivative work is a new creative work that builds on an existing published book. Knovel supports three types:
Fanfiction New stories featuring the characters, world, or elements of the original work. The original author's universe, your story.
Translations The original work rendered in another language. Translations must be accurate representations of the original — they are not adaptations.
Adaptations Retellings, reimaginings, or works substantially inspired by the original but taking it in a new direction. An adaptation might change the setting, genre, or perspective while retaining core characters or story elements.
How Licensing Flows from Parent to Derivative
When an author publishes a book and enables derivative works, they set the license terms. Those terms define what any derivative work can and cannot do.
The licensing relationship is recorded on-chain. When a reader registers a derivative work, it is linked to the original IP asset on Story Protocol, and the original author's license terms are applied automatically.
This means:
You cannot create a commercial derivative work from a book that only allows non-commercial derivatives
Royalty flows (if applicable) are automatic — there's no manual arrangement needed between author and derivative creator
The licensing chain is transparent and verifiable
License Inheritance
Derivative works inherit the license type of their parent. A derivative work created under a Non-Commercial Social Remixing license cannot itself have a Commercial Remix license.
If you create a derivative work and someone wants to create a derivative of your derivative, the same rules apply — the licensing terms of the root original govern the entire chain.
Creating a Derivative Work
See Creating Derivative Works for the step-by-step process.
Quick summary:
Find a book that allows derivative works (look for the license type on the book page)
Click Create Derivative Work
Select the type, write and publish through the same editor as standard books
Your work is linked on-chain to the original upon publication
How Derivative Licensing Configuration Works
Authors configure derivative settings when publishing or by updating their rights afterward. The options are:
Fanfiction allowed
Yes
Yes
Translations allowed
Yes
Yes
Adaptations allowed
Yes
Yes
Monetization of derivative
No
Yes
Royalty to original author
N/A
Set by author (%)
Credit required
Yes
Yes
What Authors Should Know
Enabling derivative works does not mean giving up your IP. Your registration on Story Protocol remains yours. Derivative works are linked to your original, not replacements for it.
In practice, active derivative communities tend to increase readership of the original — readers of fanfiction frequently go back to read the source material, and translations open your work to entirely new audiences.
You can disable derivative works at any time by updating your rights settings. Existing registered derivatives continue under the terms that were in place when they were created.
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