Hi everyone

i'm sorry if i seem like a complete dumbass asking u guys these questions but i'm currently writing my first screenplay, and when i'm done i hope to post it on this site, now i've read that copyright thread on this forum and i would like to know how much is it to get your screenplay copyrighted?

Thanks

Andrew

Forty-five dollars.

http://www.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html



Phil

Geez, talk about money-grubbing. Ten years ago I got something copyrighted for $20...wait, ten years? Has it really been that long? Anyway, I remember only last year, we were talking about it being $30. They keep raising rates like this, and we won't get anything done.

You can also register with the WGA for $22, but while a copyright is for life, the WGA is only 10 years, which is normally enough if you plan on selling the script. Once a company purchases the script, it is copyrighted as theirs anyway. If it doesn't move in ten years, it's usually time to move on or register the extensively rewritten draft.

Here's a link:
https://www.wgaeast.org/script_reg//

Another disadvantage to the WGE registration is that, should you have to go to court to prove ownership, you get your registered copy in a sealed envelope.  Once you open it in court (or elsewhere), your WGE registration is gone.

Atleast that's the way it was years ago.


Phil

Thanks, i was wondering how much it would cost because when im finished my first script i wanted to get it copyrighted. Not so sure now because theres alot of respectful people on this site and i trust that they won't screw me over.

Andrew

Quoted from silent0saint Thanks, i was wondering how much it would cost because when im finished my first script i wanted to get it copyrighted. Not so sure now because theres alot of respectful people on this site and i trust that they won't screw me over. Andrew

Getting a copyright will make sure we don't screw you over.

Also, you can file a collection of short stories or scripts under the same copyright and not have to pay for each one.


Phil

I was looking into the copyright things at google and i found this

http://filmmakerstore.com/copyfilm.htm

My question is relevant to this topic so I dug it up.

I'm looking to copyright something with the CIPO in Canada and it charges 50 for an online appliacation to be filed but it doesn't ask for the work.

Do they approve it first before asking for the work or have I missed something?

I tried to look into that today, but I have to agree. It was somewhat confusing and I was unable to figure certain things out as well.

I hope for your $50 you can copyright all of Better Days as a collection.

I'm glad you're doing it. It's a good series.

Pia

You can use the US Copyright Office, Wes, even if you're from another country.

And you can copyright Better Days as a collection.


Phil

Thanks for the info, Phil.
I checked out that link, http://www.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html, and it appears you can also register documents electronically for $35, saving $10 for beer money...

Quoted from dogglebe You can use the US Copyright Office, Wes, even if you're from another country. And you can copyright Better Days as a collection. Phil

If you do it online will it allow you to sent it over the internet or do you have to send it postal mail. That large of a package would cost a lot to ship to America

It has to go via snail mail.

Check and see if you can send it 'manuscript rate.'  That should cut down on the cost.


Phil

I got a response from the CIPO regarding how to send in the work you want to copyright and here's the most confusing thing I think ever.

Quoted Text Mr. Cameron, In answer to your general correspondance that you entered on-line on September 2, we do not keep copies of works. So you can't send the work you wish to register. You will or already receive a certificate of registration. Thank you

How can they protect your work without knowing what it is that they're protecting?

I'd go with the American copyright, Wes.  If you have to, to cut down on postage, print everything double-sided or, if it's really expensive to ship, try copying four pages per sheet of paper.


Phil

Doesn't that work about as good as me telling you to pay me 100 bucks and I'll give you some marbles that will make you invisible?

The Canadian writers guild at one time said they will not protect you against fraud or if you have something stolen. Word is that now it does.

I'll look into the American Copyright again.

The US Copyright Office will only keep a copy of your work long after you're dead.  It's proof that you had your work first.  That's all.  The same goes with everyone else, only not as long.


Phil

I got another e mail after my second inquiry about copyrights.

Quoted Text Mr. Cameron, When you create a work, the copyright is automatic so you are automatically protected by law.  By registering your work, it states that you are the copyright owner.  You can use the certificate in court to establish ownership. Hope this answers your question. Thank you

That could mean just use any title and technically you own anything under that title.

While this is being discussed, at what point should a work be copywritten? At idea stage, treatment, or just the final draft when it is ready to be sent out to find an agent and that sort of thing? Thanks in advance.

It's a waste of money, in my opinion, to copyright every step of the process. Unless you're sending out treatments to everyone and their grandmothers, I wouldn't copyright them.

Ideas can't be copyrighted anyway.

I think you should copyright something once it's relatively complete. That is once you've written THE END. Revisions come later. I don't think you have to re-copyright revisions unless they're completely different from what you originally wrote. Copyrighting ideas, treatments, and such is a waste of time IMO. I can't imagine why those would even see the light of day. Unless you're really paranoid or off your waving unfinished work for everyone to see at every opportunity, I think you can put your money to better use.

Also, while copyright is, in theory, automatic once you've created a work, you're definitely not protected by law. Let's say some producer, rich or otherwise, steals your work and produces it. Even if you show up in court with a poor man's copyright (work sent to yourself through the mail and left unopened), their lawyers will bury you. The bottom line is if you want to be protected, you've gotta dish out some green.

I would register the first draft, at the very least.  If you're not going to show it around to anyone until you've finished it, then you can wait.  When a filmmaker asked me to write a feature-length sequel to 'Dog Run,' I registered the first copryright to the story after I wrote only twenty-five pages.


Phil

"Poor Man's Copyright" is a waste of a stamp. To my knowledge, there hasn't been one reported case of it holding up in court.

Just repeating what I already have posted on my website...

1). Don’t freak out over this script theft thing.  It’s rare.  Besides, it’s really difficult to prove theft in court.

2). The Poor Man's Copyright is a waste of time.  Don't bother with it.

3). Only WGA register and/or LOC Copyright the draft you plan to send out to producers, agents, etc.  If you make significant subsequent changes, feel free to WGA register and/or LOC Copyright those drafts.

4). Another good way to guard against someone purloining your work is by keeping a log of all the individuals you’ve sent your script(s) to.  Also keep all drafts you've written.

Quoted from The Working Screenwriter 1). Don’t freak out over this script theft thing.  It’s rare.  Besides, it’s really difficult to prove theft in court.

I've found out a month ago that two different parties stole one of my scripts.  The first guy filmed it and uploaded it on YouTube and MySpace.  The second guy cut and paste it on his website, crediting himself as the writer.

Both idiots got the script from here.


Phil

I guess I should’ve prefaced my previous posting with:

This doesn’t really pertain to ultra-short scripts suitable for posting toYouTube or MySpace.  We’re talking about feature-length scripts and theft in the professional world.  

First of all, you’re just opening yourself up to trouble if you post you script anywhere on the Net.  

Secondly, so what if some jerk took your idea, shot something rinky-dink and posted it on MySpace?  Go out and shoot your own version.  I mean, this is a short film, right?  The chances are mighty slim that you’re going to sell that script to anyone anyway.  (Sure, you might sell it to some student filmmaker, but that’s pretty much your only option.)  And what’s the guy who stole your script gonna do, sue you?  Not likely.  

With regards to the guy who put his name on your script: I suggest you contact him and threaten him with a legal action.  Not that you’d do it, but it might scare him enough to pull the script.  This is why you need all the drafts of your script, so you can march into court and prove that it’s all your hard word that got that script written.  (But again, the chances of you ever going to court are extremely slim.)

Quoted from The Working Screenwriter Secondly, so what if some jerk took your idea, shot something rinky-dink and posted it on MySpace?  Go out and shoot your own version.  I mean, this is a short film, right?  The chances are mighty slim that you’re going to sell that script to anyone anyway.  (Sure, you might sell it to some student filmmaker, but that’s pretty much your only option.)  And what’s the guy who stole your script gonna do, sue you?  Not likely.

I recently won a screenwriting competition where grand prize is having the winning script produce by experienced professionals.  I nearly lost it because it was already produced and because there might be a question of ownership.  After about two weeks of deliberating the matter, the competition holders decided not to disqualify me.

By this point, I didn't feel any of the feelings of accomplishment or happiness that I should've had.

Quoted from The Working Screenwriter With regards to the guy who put his name on your script: I suggest you contact him and threaten him with a legal action.  Not that you’d do it, but it might scare him enough to pull the script.  This is why you need all the drafts of your script, so you can march into court and prove that it’s all your hard word that got that script written.  (But again, the chances of you ever going to court are extremely slim.)

Did and done.  I hired a lawyer to send out the cease and desist letters.  I won't be able to get any of this money back either.

There was also an instance where a former SS member plagiarised other people's work here.  There was talk that he actually had someone else's work optioned.  I doubt that, after the truth came out, the actual writer received money and a contract for optioning the script.


Phil