Screenwriting : Copyright Question (TV Show) by Maurice Vaughan

I registered only my Pilot to the WGA.

Thanks, Aray and James.

Good question Maurice Vaughan. Now I know.

Can you register all three in one document? I don't think LOC charges more by page length.

I might try that, Dan. At least the pilot and the treatment together. Thanks.

I'll tell you in 3 months! I did exactly that last week (pilot+bible). So when I get an answer from them, I'll let you know!

Cool. Thanks, Jose.

I just don't see this focus on getting your work copyrighted. Once you've written it, you're as protected against theft as you can be without hiring a lawyer.

Between the vanishingly small chance of anybody thinking a newbie's (like most of us) work is worth stealing (and then actually doing it), AND the fact that the script (esp. TV pilots) will substantially change by the time it's shot, why bother? Any charge of plagiarism will never make it to court - and if it does, their lawyers will crush any newbie. And, hey, if someone thinks your stuff is good enough to steal, you're doing something right as a writer! Don't belabor the "stolen" work - go out and write another! You gotta have a ton of stories in your brain, right?

The only exception to this I see is if, you as a writer, plan on producing the script yourself. Then, once it's done, many distro will want to see chain-of-title docs - an LOC copyright is a big part of that.

Otherwise, it's just another expense and time-waster.

IMO.

Hi, John. Some producers and production companies won't accept projects that aren't registered with the U.S. Copyright Office or the W.G.A.

You can only copyright a screenplay (teleplay) or a treatment. Copyright both.

You should copyright your work because that allows you to sue for damages or file for injuctions. If your work is stolen and not registered, you won't be able to bring a claim to court.

I thought this was a pretty good article comparing US copyright vs WGA

https://nofilmschool.com/WGA-Register-or-Copyright-my-script

Thanks, everyone.

Copyright of a Work is a requirement of selling a project. Not even a consideration. (also put the © on your work - many forget - and actually this provides copyright without registration technically, but do it. WGA registration is not important. However, thank you for posting the above. It says WGA will send an executive to a trial, which might be helpful (just to have them verify you did so.)

You can always sue. You can lodge a civil proceeding for any reason. Having adequate proof is far easier with registration.

Jack, I was thinking about registering just the pilot and the treatment. I wasn't so sure about the pitch deck. Thanks.

https://www.newmediarights.org/business_models/artist/can_you_sue_someon... . You can sue but won't get statutory damages unless it registered within 3 months of publication. Go ahead and don't copyright your work and sue. You won't be a happy camper.

https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html

Here is a link the USA Government copyright office (not a private org). As an Australian I am also protected under this for my work in the USA under an international treaty.

Hey, Maurice. That may be true, about producers requiring a copyright - but in 9 years of actively dealing with producers and prodcos, I have never run across one that requires a copyright.

You absolutely 100% need copyright if you want to work with a legit US production company which deals with unions and worthwhile distributors. If you don't have an LoC claim, there's the chance a production you're involved with is going to get shutdown. If you don't have an LoC claim, there's a chance a distribution deal is going to fall through. The chain of title is an essential document that established producers will need filled in.

In terms of your own protection, an LoC claim, if correct, entitles you to statutory compensation which means it's far easier to employ a lawyer to fight your case.

It's $45 to protect a script, basically for life, which can be completed online in minutes and is going to look like chicken feed in terms of cost when you're facing a sale... especially if you never secured a claim and the deal falls through.

WGA Registration makes for a nice wall decoration and that's it.

As for the original question; just stick it all in one pdf and file a claim for that.

CJ confirms what I said in my first post, about chain-of-title. I disagree with the timing - I've been told by two attorneys that the copyright of the script can wait until the film actually goes into pre-production. You DO NOT need to have the script registered when you're negotiating a deal with a producer/prodco.

Because here's another consideration: many of the prodcos I've interacted with will want their name on the LOC registration - and they have a right to ask for that, since they're paying for the script and the film (and they'll pay for the reg). If you file before that, you're just going to have to re-file or modify or whatever the LOC calls it, when you sign a deal.

I personally wouldn't take the risk over such a relatively small amount. There's always the chance someone files a claim on your own material that predates yours. I appreciate it sounds unlikely but I know people it's happened to. I also know writers who have run into issues with copyright claims just as productions are going into action over some really tiny details. Two of those examples are actually members here but I won't speak for them. That's before even getting into protecting our own work from theft. I discovered only last year that someone was trying to produce a script of mine in Florida. I found out through an actor they had cast and managed to shut it down before they started.

While I totally respect the level of risk any writer wants to take, I feel advising people that copyright is just an expense and a time-waster is very bold.

I want to be clear - I'm NOT advising anyone to do (or not do) anything. I was simply responding to the OP with my personal experience and opinion - and we know how much opinions are worth! :)

Thanks, everyone.