Okay, so I know the WGA registration is only 5 years, as opposed to the LoC, which is death + 70 years. But since the industry standard is WGA, which of these would/do you register with?

Thx guys!!

LoC.

An entertainment lawyer recently told Janet that the WGA isn't much better than mailing the script to yourself.

Phil

There isnt much of a differience in the price either as I recall. About 12 dollars more for LOC @ 35.00 per submission and you can submit "group works" or collections and put several scripts under one Copyright.

Shawn.....><

I'm not saying we should not register a script, but your work is your work as soon as you finish it. If you can prove you wrote it, you have the rights to it. Emailing it to yourself isn't a bad idea! Posting it here and having people review it helps too, creates an evidence train. I think. What the hell do I know. Registering can't hurt. Also, a producer might be nervous about showing the script around if it's not registered. That I know.

leitskev has a good point about it automatically being protected once it's done.

I have a question though, doesnt some web sites like Ink Tip require you to have WGA or LOC on your script before you can post it?

Shawn.....><

With the last scripts I've sold, the contracts required that the scripts were copyrighted...

Pia,
You often post here what Ink Tip wants. Do they require Copyright or LOC that you know of?

Mailing it to yourself doesn't carry too much weight if you have to go to court.  Neither is posting it here (both can be manipulated).  The LoC is accepted as 'official.'

Phil

To expand on Phils information.

It can also be done electronically now online. The LoC gives you a "time stamp" when you complete the process online. That doesnt mean you are copyrighted. That takes months to complete on their end but it does give you an official time of submission that holds up in court as well.

Shawn.....><

To be honest I don't know about InkTip. I've posted scripts there in the past and I remember there being a box to fill out a registration number. I don't remember if it was mandatory or optional however.  

Although WGA registation creates valid evidence that can be used in court, it does not provide as many legal remedies as registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright office will.

Mark

I never understood why people would use the WGA.  I can only guess because it offers others services to writers.


Phil

Not to my knowledge Phil.

It may simply fall on the side of being cheaper and people seeing it as valid as LoC.

Shawn.....><

...and regardless of what you do, it can easily be on a MagaUpload type place where anyone in the world can claim it's theirs.  

From InkTip's release:

3. Applicant has retained at least one copy of the Work, as InkTip.com will not be responsible for any loss or destruction of the materials submitted to it. Applicant understands that it is his/her sole responsibility to protect the Work. In order to place anything on our website it must be registered. It should be filed or registered with a Writers Guild, Copyright Office, and/or other script protection organizations that are available around the world. You can register your work online now by selecting http://www.wga.org. It is fast and inexpensive. InkTip.com may, at its sole discretion, change the format and display of the Work on its website, and may discontinue the availability of the Work on its website at any time for any reason.

I think I'll go with the LoC. Anybody know which form to use??