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I was asked by a manager to get registered with Writers guild of America (which to be fair is only 10-20 dollars, so I probably should do it). As a Brit - should I try WGA West?
I was asked by a manager to get registered with Writers guild of America (which to be fair is only 10-20 dollars, so I probably should do it). As a Brit - should I try WGA West?
I would check with the manager exactly what they mean for three reasons.
1. There is a Writers Guild of Great Britain. 2. People join the Guild, and not just anyone is eligible. 3. The Guild registers scripts and other writings.
If the manager meant to register your script, treatment or napkin scribbles with WGA, that's a few dollars. You could also consider registering with the Copyright office.
If the manager meant to join the Guild, I think you need the paying gig first to become eligible. WGA West has more stringent requirements than WGA East.
Well - he said "Must be registered" after I asked if I could query him. I asked if he meant copyright and he said, "Registered with the WGA". Then he suggested - "Writers guild of America. Los Angeles".
I mean does it make a difference if its America or Britain? Admittedly, I've never really thought about this.
Well - he said "Must be registered" after I asked if I could query him. I asked if he meant copyright and he said, "Registered with the WGA". Then he suggested - "Writers guild of America. Los Angeles".
I mean does it make a difference if its America or Britain? Admittedly, I've never really thought about this.
If he means the script must be registered with the WGA, that's a simple online process. I don't know if the Writer's Guild of Great Britain does registration, but WGA East and WGA West both do. You get an immediate confirmation, and a day or so later you get a certificate emailed to you with a "WGA number" for the script.
The manager may be thinking that a WGA number either (1) acts as insurance against anyone copying the idea as he shops it around, or (2) demonstrates that the writer is "serious" enough to be affiliated with WGA.
But if the manager means you need to join the Guild, that's not a simple process at all.
He probably means the first one, but I'd double-check.
WGGB does not believe that registering a script gives you any significant protection from copyright infringements in this country. However, if you wish to register your script both the Writers Guild of America, West and the Writers Guild of America, East offer the service for a fee, as does The Script Vault in the UK
As an author you automatically have copyright over your script, unless you assign it to someone else. You do not have to go through any formal procedure – if you wrote it, and you have not infringed someone else’s copyright, then the copyright is yours. Copyright means that no one can use your work without your permission.
As an author you also have moral rights over what you have written, unless you waive them in a contract. Moral rights include the right to be identified as the author or director of a work as appropriate, the right to object to the derogatory treatment of a work and the right to object to false attribution of a work.
There is a good explanation of UK copyright law on Wikipedia.
WGGB members can contact the office for advice about copyright. We are not able to give any advice to non-members.
This question pops up a lot.
From what I've read registering with West or East, both are affiliated, just a different data base. I'm no expert on it though.
I would check with the manager exactly what they mean for three reasons.
1. There is a Writers Guild of Great Britain. 2. People join the Guild, and not just anyone is eligible. 3. The Guild registers scripts and other writings.
If the manager meant to register your script, treatment or napkin scribbles with WGA, that's a few dollars. You could also consider registering with the Copyright office.
If the manager meant to join the Guild, I think you need the paying gig first to become eligible. WGA West has more stringent requirements than WGA East.
WGGB does not believe that registering a script gives you any significant protection from copyright infringements in this country. However, if you wish to register your script both the Writers Guild of America, West and the Writers Guild of America, East offer the service for a fee, as does The Script Vault in the UK
WGGB does not believe that registering a script gives you any significant protection from copyright infringements in this country. However, if you wish to register your script both the Writers Guild of America, West and the Writers Guild of America, East offer the service for a fee, as does The Script Vault in the UK
The amount of protection it offers in the US has gone down recently as well. It can establish that a certain document existed at a certain time, and by extension that a story idea, character, etc. existed, but it is no longer sufficient to establish standing to sue for infringement.
I still think there's some value in it since it establishes a date of priority, and you can register the "final" version with the copyright office when you're ready.
I still think there's some value in it since it establishes a date of priority, and you can register the "final" version with the copyright office when you're ready.
Yep, and obviously some of the higher-ups want it registered before they read your script, to ensure it's your work I suppose.
Dark Horse, there's a lot of general screenwriting info here already:
I know, a lot of members seem not to notice SS resources and information before starting a new thread. Still, it probably needs an update. And we all love a chat, so...
And the link Frank posted which perhaps should be moved to Screenwriting Class, not General Q&A. Hmm... I'll check out the Questions and Comments thread more.
LC - admittedly, I am having a hard time finding things. I was trying to figure what OWC was the other day and the rules, etc. But yeah - thanks for the links.
Not sure if this isn't already covered in the thread/links but I don't bother registering my scripts with the WGA anymore. I use the Library of Congress. WGA only lasts 5 years, Library of Congress is for 70 (I think, it's a long time anyway) and the courts hold the LoC in higher esteem than WGA so you get a higher payout in any copyright claim.
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