This may have already been covered here and if it has, sorry.

Quick question...

You write a script, get it WGA or COPYRIGHT…or both…right?

You do big fat rewrite on it…

Do you reapply for these forms of protection?

The general story has remained in tact but large parts of it have been changed.

So do you reinvest in a (revised version) of the same script, or does the original protection you applied for hold water?

Shawn…..><

As long as the general story remains in tact, as you say and the characters are the same, there should be no reason why the original protection wont hold up.

Put yourself in that unwanted predicament, where you have to argue that some b$$stard stole your work. Do you have enough evidence in your copyrighted script to prove your side of the argument?

If you said yes, well don't worry about reapplying.

Mark

That's a judgement that only you can make.  Is it so different that it could pass for two different stories?

Better safe than sorry.


Phil

I thought that registering with the WGA allowed you to upload drafts for free.

Though I hear the WGA does little for you in court. They just send the documents, but don't actually help by sending anyone in or anything.

I've never changed something so much I felt a re-registration was in order.
Sure, characters come and go, acts change, but nothing that drastic.
If your new draft is like a different script entirely, then maybe do it?

E.D.

Sorry to dig this one back up, but rather than start a new thread question about something along this line, I thought I could ask on this one.

QUESTION-

If I change the TITLE of my script, does it need to be Copyrighted again?

Any help much apperciated guys.

Shawn.....><

No.  The copyright protects the script, not the title.  If you type a title into IMDB, you often find titles used a few times over.


Phil

Thanks Phil.

Glad to hear it.

Shawn.....><

Quoted from Felipe Though I hear the WGA does little for you in court. They just send the documents, but don't actually help by sending anyone in or anything.

An entertainment lawyer that I've used in the past said that registering your work at WGA means jack-shit in court.  Be advised.

Oh, and so does mailing it to yourself.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe An entertainment lawyer that I've used in the past said that registering your work at WGA means jack-shit in court.  Be advised. Oh, and so does mailing it to yourself. Phil

Yeah, I heard that too...

In fact, Copyright is a legal Goverment document

WGA is, more or less, a time stamp

I must admit though, I've used both for my features. No sense spending a year writing something and not spending a combined 50.00 for both.

Shawn.....><

I do WGA and Copyright on all original features.
Or if collaborating, my partner may do it for us both.

Either way, I cross T's and dot every I.
WGA will not help you with legal action.

My lawyer recommended what he considers the top arbitration service:
http://www.jamsadr.com/

It's written into the latest contract draft for CW that JAMS handle anything like that.
Been told they're fast, fair and reasonable.
Retired judicial officials run the show.

Bottom line.
No one's going to protect you in this industry.
Fend for yourself like your "salary" depends on it...
Cuz it does, folks.

Regards,
E.D.