I have recently finished a feature length script but I'm not WGA registered  Would it be safe to post it?

where do you live?

U.S.

You'd better register it then if you think it DOES worth it.

Okay.  Thanks.

Register your work with the Library of Congress.  It rocks!


Phil

Can people outside of America register with WGA or Library Of Congress?

Does any one know of a European equivalent?

Quoted from Colkurtz8 Can people outside of America register with WGA or Library Of Congress? Does any one know of a European equivalent?

There's an Australian equivalent.  It's called the AWG.

Quoted from Colkurtz8 Can people outside of America register with WGA or Library Of Congress? Does any one know of a European equivalent?

In France there is one too. But you can register with Library of Congress even if you leave outside USA.

Michel

Good to know, thanks

I usually register my stuff with the library of congress. They seem to provide the same basic protection. Is there any advantages with WGA

You can register your script with both WGA and LoC no matter where in the world you live (as long as you cough of the bucks they're happy).

I'd only recommend registering it if you think (know) it's good and has potential.  You are protecting the script from being "stolen" from you. If it's a total piece, don't waste the money.

Post a few pages in here first and see what people have to say.  If it's bad, there are many in here who can provide advice and help.

I don't know, that's my advice in saving you $75 or so.

If you think it's worth writing, then it's worth stealing!  Protect it!

Registration  with the LoC lasts longer than the WGA.  It costs a few bucks more but it's worth it if you don't have to renew it every few years.


Phil

Is The Cabin worth protecting?  Worth dolling out $75 or so?

Hmmm, I doubt it...highly doubt it!

The Cabin was not worth writing.

I'm not the only one, here, who has had work stolen.  Protect your work!


Phil

I know Phil, and I'm not doubting that at all.

I'm just saying that first time writers probably don't need to worry about someone remotely wanting to steal their work.

It's obviously up to each individual...and the amount of coins in their pockets.

If you can afford it, then you should do it.  Too many scripts are stolen.  If scripts from big names are stolen, what chance dores the little guy have?


Phil

Are we talking about something other than a copywrite?

I know what a WGA is and it's cost ($22.00 for non members), but I see the $75 dollar number here and thought mabey the LOC in the united states is differient.

I have copywrited things through the copywrite office online and it only cost $35.00.

Shawn......><

$75 was a rough estimate for the 2 combined.  I forgot what each costs exactly and didn't want to spend the 4 minutes to remind myself.

Quoted from Dreamscale I know Phil, and I'm not doubting that at all. I'm just saying that first time writers probably don't need to worry about someone remotely wanting to steal their work. It's obviously up to each individual...and the amount of coins in their pockets.

Not true...People steal IDEAS and CONCEPTS, not grammer or good writing styles...Protect your work!

Yes, I'm sure they do.  I don't think that comes into play all that often with first time writers though.  Not to say a first time writer can't come up with a good idea or the like.  I just don't think every first time writer should worry about spending $55 or so every time they write a script.

As I said, if the person wants to spend the money and has the money laying around for that purpose, then, sure, go for it.  I just don't think everyone who decides they're going to try screenwriting needs to fool themselves into thinking they need to worry about protecting their work.

You can't copyright an idea. If I wrote and sold a script about a family who goes to a haunted farm to take care of an orphan relative, Bert can't sue me for stealing The Farm.  If I copy it, and even change names and stuff around, it's copyright infringement.  Bert would have to take me to court.  Having a registration number from the copyright office (or WGAE) would help him in court a lot more than having 'copyright 2005 by Bert.'

You can copyright all of your work under one copyright by putting it all together as a collection.  My short scripts are all copyrighted this way.  It saves a lot of money.


Phil

Definitely agree.