Hello everyone.

I made this "thread" but really i know that some of you...guys are currently or have written scripts. I finished writing one and I wanted to copyright it, and it suddenly dawned upon me. Do you...guys copyright your scripts or do you reqister them with WGA (aka the writer's guild of america). I dont know. Maybe you...guys already do it and its a normal thing. please send me any messages, since, well, I am a newcomer.

thank you.

and yes im a girl

Hi Kayla, welcome to the board.

You'll find a mix of both here, some go LOC, others go WGA.  I myself normally register with WGA EAST, which is $25 for 10 years.  WGA West is $20 for 5.

LOC copyright is good for long after you've died (70 years or so) and costs, I think, around $40.

The only problem I've seen with LOC is that it takes quite awhile to get the registration number, but I think that's being ironed out through online beta testing.

Thank you! at first i went to the us copyright, then to

writer's guild of america, but someone (i am horrible with names and faces) told me the copyright is better than the regristration.

is that true? i just finished writing my first screenplay or script, and i would like everyone to see it, read it, and give me suggestions and stuff to see if I can make it any better.

Thank you again!

oh yah

I live in new mexico so i can't use WGA WEST since its beyond the east side after missippi.

There is a WGA WEST right?

oh, and the copyright (us) one said it charged $45

Hey Kayla. Quick tip, triple posts are frowned upon here. Don't worry though, we give new members a break(well, at least some of us do). Welcome to the boards.

~Zack~

Quoted from Zack Don't worry though, we give new members a break

Except the ones who send us seemingly pointless PMs.

Quoted from PM from Kayla Well, Im a new member...Im very young and probably cant keep up wit u guys bye!

Okey-dokey...

Once again, people are encouraged to look before they post.

Here, Kayla -- follow this link and you will find a very in-depth discussion of the Copyright and WGA pros and cons:

http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-screenwrite/m-1088010971/

thank you. i'll try my best not to annoy of you.

And, if you wondering, I am 14, a year older than the old age thing permitted. I hope I will be able to have my screenplay posted and, I dont mind if any of you go "easy on me", but, when it comes to the critical part of reading my screenplay, please tell what to do, and get mad at me. i mean. I'm off the hook as it is with my parents but nonetheless, it's great to be here. Thank you again. oh, and I'm proably the most youngest member on here but treat me as an adult.

We never go easy on the newbies.... especially when they're in their early teens.  I'll eat your dreams for breakfast and wash them down with your tears.  MWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!

Aside from the fact that a copyright lasts longer than a WGA registration, another advantage to it is that a copyright is more 'permanent,' shall we say.  When I looked into WGA many years ago, I was told that--should you need to show proof of registration in court--you go to the the WGA records place and they actually give you the hard copy that you gave them.  That envelope goes to court and is opened by the judge, or a lawyer.  Once this is opened, you no longer have proof that it was registered, except maybe court transcripts.

That was a long time ago.  Things may have changed.  Either way, I would still go with the copyright.


Phil

Okay. and thanks fo rthe beginning thought it was very heartless. And funny. the copyright was done online but it told me to mail the hard copy in, $45 bucks, and some form.

however I'm at some college waiting to print the form since these people over here think i'll print "something (and by "something" I mean "SOMETHING") from the printer.

I feel stupid. thank you. and tell me when my avatar annoys the h*** out of you, cause i'll change it.

Quoted from dogglebe When I looked into WGA many years ago, I was told that--should you need to show proof of registration in court--you go to the the WGA records place and they actually give you the hard copy that you gave them.  That envelope goes to court and is opened by the judge, or a lawyer.  Once this is opened, you no longer have proof that it was registered, except maybe court transcripts.

Since you can register a script electronically now with the WGA I don't think that's a problem anymore.

I thought it would be more efficient to send them the script than on the Internet. Since, well, alomst everyone has access to it. And I know the mail isnt too any better also.

Quoted from Kayla Okay. and thanks fo rthe beginning thought it was very heartless. And funny. the copyright was done online but it told me to mail the hard copy in, $45 bucks, and some form.

Now that I think of it, you don't have much choice but to mail it in, unless your parents are letting you use their credit card.

Quoted from Kayla however I'm at some college waiting to print the form since these people over here think i'll print "something (and by "something" I mean "SOMETHING") from the printer.

I often make Xerox copies of my "something".

In addition to the earlier Question, can you copyright the concept of a film or the idea? or do you need a script?

Quoted from spiritse In addition to the earlier Question, can you copyright the concept of a film or the idea? or do you need a script?

You can't copyright an idea.  If it could be done, I'd copyright, "Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets get back again," in a heart beat and make a mint.

Don

Quoted from spiritse In addition to the earlier Question, can you copyright the concept of a film or the idea? or do you need a script?

The less detailed your story is, the less protection you have.  You can't copyright ideas as they've all been done already.


Phil

Sorry i should given a bit more information in my question, and it was 01:00am here (GMT).

I've already written about Three pages describing the plot and outlinded characters, places  and some events.

You can copyright a three page story summary, but it will not be as protected as a 100 page story.  Copyrights protect written works, not ideas.


Phil

But one thing I have always had is imagination and creativity, over the years I have taught myself how to spell and write to where I am now. And feel I can start to put my ideas to paper. Maybe I am just a bit insane over the years, but I can easy drift off into another world and almost feel like I am there from sight, touch and even smell.

I never read bed time stories to my children I always make them up and they throw things into the Story, as an example were in a woods surrounded by tress and they would add anything that comes to mind. I can easy pick up on anything and included it, but lacked the ability to write it down.

Earlier today I made a 1 page story as if part of a novel and gave it to my oldest boy and wife to read, both said it was really good. It also helps me to home my literature skills.

Even if nothing ever gets published at least it's a way if can express my feelings and get some of the troubles I may have had off my chest.