when you submit a script here is it copyrighted then?

how do you copyright a script?

You cannot copyright your script by just submiting it here. You can either register it with the Library of Congress by mail or with the Writer's Guild of America electronically.

These links should help you out:

http://www.copyright.gov
http://www.wga.org

I was looking at the CIPO and man is it hard to get something registered, it lasts forever and only costs 65 bucks (In Canada) but I read something about charges on paper and I have no clue how you'd send in a series that would take a box of printed out screenplays to send ha-ha

The good ole process.

Which one makes it so no one can copy or sell your script, the WGA or Copyright.gov?

Rapture - I would use the WGA.

Quoted from FilmMaker06 Which one makes it so no one can copy or sell your script, the WGA or Copyright.gov?

Both.

And for a series, I took advantage of the WGA's online pdf submission and packed Fempiror into one 850 page pdf containing the bible, 3 screenplays, and 7 episodes. I registered the whole thing as a series.

Quoted from George Willson And for a series, I took advantage of the WGA's online pdf submission and packed Fempiror into one 850 page pdf containing the bible, 3 screenplays, and 7 episodes. I registered the whole thing as a series.

Wow. 850 pages. ha ha. That's kinda funny.

And thanks for the advice. I'll use the WGA when I get done with my screenplay.

Well I live in Canada the WGC (Canada's lack luster service) says flat out that it does not protect your work from being used, which means you have no claim in courts.

Maybe the American one is different but that's what ours says.

The CIPO will let me do it online but I'd have to use a credit card, I don't have one of those.

Hmm...I'll have to do a little more research into things like this. I'm worried for my scripts, so I don't post 'em online unless I don't care or if they are fan adaptations.

One other thing you can do is something called "The poor mans copywrite" Now this will not stand up in court in most circumstances but sometimes it will.

What you do is seal up a hard copy of your work and mail it to yourself.Never open it.Just file it away until, God forbid you ever need it.Then you take it to court for the judge to open.The postal date acts as your copywite date.

This is by no means a substitution for a resgistered copywrite or WGA reg.Just another protection.I use this method as soon as I complete a first, revised draft.Then I get it it copywrited.I do this because there are times that I discuss the script on boards (before it's finalized)such as this and I want to get it protected as soon as possible.

I read about a situation recently where this actually helped out a guy who wrote something for TV.His copywrite was disputed until he presented the poor mans version which proved his case.I'll try to look that article up and post it for y'all.

Just remember it is not a recognized copywrite on it's own.

Not posting your work because you think someone will steal it is a weak excuse; your choice but don't blame it on that. If you can afford to make a short film as you are you can afford a copyright.

They should add new ways to copyright/register work such as documented sites like this, mailing it to yourself, and so on.

However, a lot of time they don't record the date on mail (At least in my experience.) When I have received things from America that I ordered it did not have the date but if customs stopped it at the border it would. (Customs alone has sucked over 200 bucks out of me)

I wonder if the WGA accepts non America screenplays.

What I do when I send it to myself is I have it certified so there is no question as to the date and it's recorded.

There have been many copywrite cases where this method was recognized but I don't think it would stand up in a "big time" court case.Like if you went up against a studio.

You should still have it copywrited officially, of course.

Quoted from Old Time Wesley Not posting your work because you think someone will steal it is a weak excuse; your choice but don't blame it on that. If you can afford to make a short film as you are you can afford a copyright.

It's not the money, I just never knew how to copyright anything. That's why I don't. I've sent in all of my work, I'm just talking about my upcoming features. I needed to figure out how to copyright them before posting them here when they're done.

Keep in mind that the WGA is only good for ten years.  After that, they discard your script and you're unprotected.

The copyright office protects your works for something like seventy-five years after your death.

Wes, I believe you can copyright something here, even though you live in Canada.  Check to be sure.


Phil

Each country has it's own forms of copyright including agents or organizations which provide a copyright service..

But, more and more writers are using the services offered by American agencies and organizations incluidng The National Copyright office and the WGA East and West.

Have a check in your own country first regarding copyrighting your work and then go the American route if you decide to..

I think the point of this story is, do your research.

Premise:

I think that the premise is not necessarily original but it is still a relevent one.

Story:

Again, not original, but a neccessity for anyone in the creative field.

Characterization:

I think that all of the characters in this piece had a unique voice and their points were executed beautifully.Keep up the good work.

Dialogue:

It seemed natural and it flowed real well.It was as if everyone was speaking with their own mind!Good job with that!

Overall comments:

I think that if your characters adhere to the many points in this piece then they will lead a long, and happy life.I hope to see more work from you in the future as long as it is copywrited.

Just wanted to be a little goofy considering this thread has accomplished its purpose.

Good luck everyone on all your endeavors.

The one for us says flat out that they won't protect you but the American one does, that's about all the research I needed to run to the WGA instead of the WGC.

It may cost more but they provide a better service.

Also I'm no stranger to buying/spending money in America (Spend over 300 bucks American on CD's last year alone ha-ha I'm a whore. Some came from Germany, others from different places)

Keep in mind that all that copyrighting (or registering with WGA) does is show that you had possession of the material at the time you submitted it.  It does not prove that you, indeed, wrote it.


Phil

Copyright... copyrigh... copyright........ If you had an agent they should give you the prioper advice, mine tells me to go through the WGA... I aint even American.... All this Copyright stuff really does a guys head in..

well what if you don't have an agent and you're just a naive little 15 year old boy, who's not an american, aspiring writer who sucks at grammar and is dying to have his stuff read?

Copyright it.


Phil