There is a question of originality. If the variable names, comments, etc. are preserved, then yes, it is probably a derivative work. But here, where you are sta

There is a question of originality. If the variable names, comments, etc. are preserved, then yes, it is probably a derivative work. But here, where you are starting from the obfuscated code, there is an argument that the code is solely functional, hence doesn't have copyright protection. It's like how if I take a news article and write a new article with the same facts, there's no copyright protection (witness: news gets re-reported all the time). There is a fine line between "this is just a prompt, not substantial enough to be copyrightable" and "this is a derivative work" which is still being worked out in the legal system.