I've answered this one here and there over time, but here goes.

You can't copyright an idea. Only the execution of that idea in the form of a novel, script, whatever. Here's the snag, though. If you use someone's else's idea, you risk losing originality because someone might recall it being done before. If someone decided to make a movie about a mob boss and his family, everyone would scream Godfather. Now neither Mario Puzo nor Francis Ford Coppola nor Zoetrope could sue over this mob boss film as long as the script and plot are completely different, but the idea would still be there.

If you're shooting for some unknown flick that was on MST3K one night, I doubt anyone will care. But the only thing you can legally lift is the idea. And I'll not that you do so at your own risk. Ideally, you just come up with your own idea, but if you haven't done much, it might make for a good exercise to get your chops going.

My case in point for all this is 1998: Armageddon and Deep Impact. Exactly the same idea with different takes on it. Our writing exercises are about the same thing as well.

Does it cost money to register your script in WGA?

go to http://www.wgawregistry.org/webrss/ and all your questions will be answered.  

Don

just wondering. I sometimes put the word "copyright (c) Yudhianto B - 2007". Is that okay?

also, I had some discussion before about copyright violation probability in record industry, and some ppl said that when we make our work public, we automaticly gain the copyright. so they advice that before making any demo (song), publish the song to internet first. use the date of posting as point of refference that you publish the work before anybody else do.

my Q is, is that really true? or is it true in my country, but not other country/internationaly??

Which country are you from? Each country has different laws.  Generally the case is that as soon as you write it you own the copyright, however the problem is proving it!

Think about it logically, if you are in court claiming someone has stolen your work, what weight of evidence do you need to prove the work is in fact yours?

An internet site is something, especially if you can get character witnesses saying that they read it on a certain date, however it is hardly concrete evidence as anything on a computer system can be hacked or amended.

That is why people like to register at the WGA etc as it is an objective and legally enforced office.

I'm from Indonesia. I dont really know what the laws in here actually.

I see, so basicly it is alright to put the word "copyright (c) Yudhianto B - 2007". RIgth. but proving it is a different matter

You should see about registering your work.  If you can't do it where you are, you can do it in the United States (I think).  Just writing 'copyright 2007' carries very little weight in court.  What would stop someone from taking your script and putting 'copyright 2004' on it?


Phil

well, of course no one. I only want to clarify that my habbits is oukay to do.

Keep in mind that registering it won't guarantee no one will take it.  A script of mine that will soon be produced was produced without my permission and splashed all over Youtube and Myspace.  I learned of another person this morning who posted it.

And then there's the former Simplyscripts guys who take your scripts and renames them, giving themselves credit as the authors.  If your work isn't registered, you'll have trouble proving it's yours.


Phil