Erstbearbeitung

Erstbearbeitung is a German term used in publishing, copyright, and media to denote the first processing or editing of a work into a derivative form. It refers to the initial creative transformation that converts an original work into a new, publishable or presentable version, often introducing new elements or reorganizing existing material.

In publishing and edition history, Erstbearbeitung can describe the first edition prepared for publication, typically by the author or an editor. Subsequent changes are then labeled as Überarbeitung (revision) or Neubearbeitung (new edition). The term helps distinguish the initial, foundational editing from later revisions.

In copyright law, the concept highlights that a derivative work created from an original work requires authorization from the rights holder of the original. The author of the Erstbearbeitung contributes new creative elements and may obtain rights to exploit the derivative, while the underlying work remains protected by its own copyright. Moral rights of the original author generally apply independently of the derivative.

In media production, Erstbearbeitung can refer to the first editing stage of material, such as an initial cut of a screenplay, film, or a digitally processed image, before final post-production or additional revisions.

Examples include a novel adapted into a screenplay, a manuscript prepared as the first edition of a book, or an initial cut of a film crafted from raw footage. The term emphasizes the primacy of the initial editing step and its distinction from later revisions or new editions. The exact usage may vary by field and context within German-language discourse.