My script 'Walk Away' has been filmed without my permission. After I saw Zack post about similar cases where people have done it to him, I looked up all my scripts on youtube until I got a match. I'm quite annoyed as I haven't been credited as a writer. It sucks to see your film out on the web, without being credited to the hard work I've put in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr7fgcjmwUA

I'm going to contact them and ask that they pull the link down and post an edited version where I am credited. I'm not just gonna let shit like this happen.

Suggestions??

Dan

Quoted from danbotha I'm going to contact them and ask that they pull the link down and post an edited version where I am credited. I'm not just gonna let shit like this happen. Suggestions??

Exactly

At least I'm not the only one. I contacted a few of the filmakers of the various films and tried to get the ones who did not credit me to take the films down. One of them did that I know of.

~Zack~

Quoted from Zack At least I'm not the only one. I contacted a few of the filmakers of the various films and tried to get the ones who did not credit me to take the films down. One of them did that I know of.

If they don't I'll threaten them with legal action. I won't actually go through with it and I have no idea of what my rights are, but they don't know that, do they?

Sending a very strongly worded message now.

Be sure to tell them you won't Walk Away from this matter.  :-)

Yeah this kind of thing sucks.  Especially like I heard Phil say, if you want to enter this into any competitions, you'll be disqualified because it technically has been 'produced'.

Though I think the story is strong enough to win some comps, the way that one was filmed clearly won't do any good in any festivals based on the acting alone.

Here's my very strongly worded email. Considering I wasn't impressed when I wrote it, I came across as quite nice. Mark I should have included that pun

"Hey there Andrew,

My name's Daniel Botha, the writer of your 'Walk Away' short film. I was browsing through youtube, looking for stolen content where film makers have filmed my material without prior express permission when I stumbled upon your short film.

Unfortunately, I'd be lying if I said I was happy with what you have done. You have essentially stolen a screenplay and it is in breech of the International Copyright Laws put in place for this very reason.

I am requesting that you have the film removed permanently form youtube, or at the very least a final edit, where my name is added to the credits of the film as the screenwriter.

I think that is the biggest deal. I worked long and hard polishing that screenplay up to the standard. While it flatters me that you saw it fit to base your film on my script, it also disgusts me that you would go out of your way to film material that wasn't yours in the first place.

Failure to comply with my request will result in legal action. I am aware of my rights and you are in breech of an International law.

Thank you and I look forward to your prompt reply.
Daniel Botha"

Hey Dan,

Sorry to hear it, these guys don't care and many take the attitude that you won't take it further as it costs money to fight them.

My advise is firstly go onto youtube and download a copy of the video, that way you have the evidence. If you don't, then they may take it off youtube and you have to prove it was there.

Secondly contact youtube and advise them of a copyright infrindgement, they will ask the producer for evidence then they will remove it from youtube.

Once you get to this stage, if the producer hasn't contacted you by then, send him an email and tell him you instigated the action because of a copyright infringement.

He may want to then negotiate a deal to give you credit and reinstate it, If that is what you want.

Proceed with caution and make the process transparent !!!!

Regards Alex

Too late Alex. In my ignorance I sent them a message. Will do the other stuff after tea.

Quoted from danbotha Failure to comply with my request will result in legal action. I am aware of my rights and you are in breech of an International law.

I need you to do me a solid.  I have my ex-wife's e-mail address here, and she's been taking half of my paychecks for the last several years...    :-)  (I can guarantee the New Zealand e-mail address'll make her at least wet herself)  



I'm not too sure about this kind of protocol, actually.  I know Phil (dogglebe) has been through this kind of thing before.  He'd probably be the one to PM and ask for advice if they don't take it down.

If they don't, I'll start a Youtube account and start leaving MY strongly worded (and heavily descriptive) things they can do with a broomstick on their comments.

Quoted from rc1107 If they don't, I'll start a Youtube account and start leaving MY strongly worded (and heavily descriptive) things they can do with a broomstick on their comments.

Hey Mark, I was thinking more alongs the lines of using the rough end of a pineapple.

Alex

Quoted from rc1107 I need you to do me a solid.  I have my ex-wife's e-mail address here, and she's been taking half of my paychecks for the last several years...    :-)  (I can guarantee the New Zealand e-mail address'll make her at least wet herself)

Give details, Mark. I'm sure it can be arranged haha ;D

I'm waiting on a response from them. I see Michael left a nice little comment. Had to stalk his youtube account to find out who it was though. Thanks, mate :)

I'll see what they say (if they say anything) and then take it from there. Swimming in the deep end here.

Quoted from Alex_212 Hey Mark, I was thinking more alongs the lines of using the rough end of a pineapple. Alex

;D ;D Ph Alex, you make me laugh.

Seems like this was made by kids. They usually don't know what they are doing is even wrong, so I wouldn't be too harsh on them. Just let them know they can't do that and ask them to remove it... Though I guess it's too late now.

I haven't been to harsh on them. I kinda feel bad as the film was only posted about 6 hours ago and I've already picked up on it. Hopefully this is more of a learning experience for them. I have no issue with you using my stuff, but you've gotta let me know... No matter how innocent and young you may be.

What a coincidence - you start looking just when some of your work gets posted on Youtube.

It's great that it got filmed I guess but yeah, it's a bitch that they have never asked for permission. As Mark said, this could prevent this little story from going into comps now.

Also to not to be mentioned in the credits is a sore one - I see that there is a comment on the video asking who wrote it...wonder how the guy would have responded if you hadn't sent off the e-mail.

Hope it all works out well, Dan. And you at least get the writing credit you deserve.