All screenplays on the simplyscripts.com and simplyscripts.net domain are copyrighted to their respective authors. All rights reserved. This screenplaymay not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.
I think they think it's fair use, which is a grey area in itself, but I totally agree that putting it out for public consumption on YT or Vimeo etc breaks even that tenuous link and effects a writer's ability to sell the script.
But to me, and this may be a Brit thing, but I was actually offended at the lack of manners too, who doesn't ask when using someone elses stuff???
It's a politeness thing, to. My Father is a noted historian. Everything he uses, regardless for educational purposes only or not, he gets permission.
As part of the 'new' build for SS, I'm going to include in the terms of use something to the effect of, by use of this site, regardless of the purpose, use or redistribution of the works on this site are conditioned upon the written permission of the author.
iow, by using the site, you must abide by the rules which superceeds 'fair use'.
Not sure if I legally have a leg to stand on, but it may convince one more person to contact the writer before using the work.
Perhaps, an eye for an eye? Download all the movies that were created via your scripts (those without permission), and slice and dice in a video editor to create yourself a nice little show real from those movies. A showcase of your work but, remove any indication of outside production and re-post it. Those assholes who stole your scripts just got owned at their own expense. Of course, if their version is bad you might want to avoid that route. I don't know, just throwing out ideas.
I think they think it's fair use, which is a grey area in itself, but I totally agree that putting it out for public consumption on YT or Vimeo etc breaks even that tenuous link and effects a writer's ability to sell the script.
But to me, and this may be a Brit thing, but I was actually offended at the lack of manners too, who doesn't ask when using someone elses stuff???
I'm an academic librarian and you'd be surprised at how shaky the grasp of the concept of copyright is from the tutors, let alone the students. When it comes down to it, stealing is stealing, however you tart it up.