I read a fantastic story from a newspaper and would like to buy copyright for that story. How do I approach to do that? Should I present myself as a screenwriter? How much do they usually charge?

Distinguish between the newspaper story and the event itself.

Is it critical to your spec screenplay concept that names, dates, locations and items from the newspaper article rather than the event itself be used?

Otherwise, I'm pretty sure you can change names, dates, locations and items to whatever suits your story and have it "inspired by" - without anyone's permission.

More homework for you => http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use

A story is just like an idea, in that it cannot really be copyrighted. Only the expression of an idea, and in the case of a newspaper article the particular details of the story. So what is it about the story that you like? If it is an article about real life events, which I am assuming it is, the newspaper don't own copyright on the story, or the people involved, they only own copyright on the article about them. Why not do your own research and write your version of it?

Even better you can always write a script based on the story but make it your own, you are doing nothing wrong and nothing different to what artists have always done. There are very rare occasions where you would want to use the original article to base a screenplay on but that would be because the character or details of the story are so integral, and in many cases are the story that you could not do it without them.

It was only recently that a judge ruled that Disturbia did not rip off Rear Widow, despite it being obviously based on it. As long as you change the details and never admit where your inspiration came from you are doing nothing wrong. Just make it your own though, obviously don't just steal it, use it as inspiration.

EDIT: Ray beat me to it, thankfully we seem to be in agreement.

EDIT: Ray beat me to it, thankfully we seem to be in agreement.

Thankfully.
Otherwise, you and me, we was gonna hafta have another throw down.




                                            Ray

       Murph

An event cannot be copyrighted.  The only thing that you cannot do is use the article word-for-word.


Phil

I'm fresh and is afraid of doing things wrong, but knows so far that I cannot copy the article word for word or stuff like that, but the core story itself is essential and appealing and would be hard not to "steal" things from (in my own word off course) wouldn't it be better to own the rights though? So you can do whatever the f# you wanna do. I just don't want people to sue me in the future for nothing.

But thanks guys, appreciate it. Gives me more motivation to put out my other script that I've been working on for awhile now.