All you need to know about Zero Change Derives

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This entry was originally created by Dalamar1013, one of our Community Moderators.

The topic of Zero Change Derives comes up on a regular basis in the Discussions. As it is, there's a wide range of opinions about the practice of submitting Zero Change Derives to the catalog.

What is a Zero Change Derive product?

"Zero Change Derives" are new products that have been derived from an existing product, then submitted to the catalog without changing anything in the mesh, textures, opacity or any other product asset. In other words, the Creator clicked "Derive from product", made no changes in the product, and resubmitted it to the catalog.

Q: Is this stealing? Is it against any IMVU rules?

A: No.

When a Creator places a product in the catalog and sets it as derivable, they are already giving other Creators permission to use any or all assets in that product.

As long as the Creator clicked "Derive from product", the original Creator is still in the derive chain and will still receive profit from each sale.

This is clearly stated in the "Derivability" section of the Creator Agreement.

Q: Can a Zero Change Derived product be set as derivable?

A: Yes. When a Creator marks a product as "Derivable" in the catalog, they give all other IMVU Creators permission to derive a new product from the original. This permission also allows other IMVU Creators to set their derived products as derivable.

Q: What if a Creator writes on the product page that they don't want you to set your derived product as derivable?

A: Creators give permission to allow derives of their products to also be set as derivable when they sign the Creator Agreement. Following their request that succeeding Creators not set their derives to be derivable is only a courtesy. IMVU rules specifically allow Creators to leave any product they submit to be derivable.

Q: Doesn't making Zero Change Derives cost the customer more credits?

A: Yes. All the products that Creators submit to the catalog are derived from something that already exists in the catalog. Each submission (including Zero Change Derives) will have its price calculated by adding the price of the original product, the profit of the deriving Creator, and IMVU's mark up. This is explained in detail in this article.

Each entity that played a part in creating a product will be paid according to the derive chain. Lets check out a theoretical example. These products and prices are just examples, and not actual numbers.

• IMVU has a base product "A" and it is priced at 100 credits.

• NancyJ derives from product "A" to make "B" by changing out the mesh and setting an added profit of 100 credits. Afterwards, IMVU also adds a 40 credit markup. Product "B" is now 240 credits.

• JohnG then derives from product "B" to make product "C" by changing out the texture and opacity maps. He also adds 100 credits for his profit and IMVU tacks on a 40 credit markup. Product "C" is now 380 credits.

• WileyC then derives from product "C" to make product "D". He makes no changes in the product and submits the product as a Zero Change derive. He sets a profit of 100 credits on it, and IMVU adds a 40 credit markup. The price for product "D" is now 520 credits.

In essence, customers could have saved 140 credits in this example by purchasing product "C" from JohnG instead of purchasing product "D" which is a zero change derive.

If customers know what the derive chain is, they can save credits by following it to avoid Zero Change Derives.

Q: Can a Zero Change Derive use the same Icons and Product Page images?

A: It depends. If you ask permission from the original Creator and it is expressly given, then it is allowed. If not, it is theft and is against IMVU rules. Using another Creator's product icons or product page art without permission leaves you vulnerable to a DMCA takedown.

Q: Is there a way to set something as derivable and prevent Zero Change Derive Creators from using my textures? 

A: Yes. There is a way you can prevent zero change derives from using your unique textures, by submitting two versions of your product. The first one does not use the custom textures it could just use solid colors in each texture slot. This one would be set as "derivable". The second one uses your textures, and that is set to "non-derivable".

You could even set the textured version at a higher price, making the non-textured version more attractive to other Creators who want to derive from you.

Q: What are the benefits to the original Creator when someone makes a Zero Change Derive from their products?

A: More people may be exposed to the product since it is in the catalog multiple times.

• The Zero Change Derive Creator may have better marketing than the original Creator.

• The Zero Change Derive Creator may have more appealing icons or product pages than the original Creator.

• The Zero Change Derive Creator may have a larger following (customer base) than the original Creator.

These can all benefit the original Creator because Zero Change Derives still use the proper derive chain. This means the original Creator will still receive payment any time the Zero Change Derive is sold.

As a plus, customers who may not have seen the original Creator's product can follow the derive chain and may find your catalog in the process.

Q: What are the drawbacks to posting Zero Change Derives in the catalog?

A: While this is subjective, customers and other Creators may not view Zero Change Derive Creators as  "Real Creators" 

• Customers and Creators alike may question the ethics of a Zero Change Derive Creators.

• Customers and future derivers pay more

As you can see there is a lot to know about Zero Change Derives. If you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to post them in the Discussions. Make sure to follow the IMVU Discussion Guidelines when posting.