Screenwriting : Idea protection by Jonathan Kramer

Hey Jonathan, some writers post their scripts in full, some post only the first 10 pages or so, some post short treatments, some only post titles and loglines, and some don't post at all. Make sure your screenplays are registered with WGA and copyrighted. If they are, you should be just fine with whichever way you decide to post here on Stage 32.

I've posted scripts here. I'm protected because what I've posted are shorts adapted from short stories I've already published in anthologies and have copyright for. The proof of who has ownership of the idea is already well established. Besides, there is no motivation for anyone to steal one of my shorts. No one makes money on shorts. They are a proving ground and a way to display talent and garner recognition and possibly future paying gigs for actors, directors, crew, and writers. And because no one makes money on shorts, I give my shorts away for free. Why steal something you can have just by asking?

I posted my scripts fully . I feel if I give exposure it will be a bit difficult to produce. I have copywrighted with World wide occr as WGA is not accepting my husband bank's card though it is VISA.

The consensus is to register with the WGA and to copyright, though from what I read on the US govt site, copyrighting takes 4-8 mos, LOL. I'm going to register the script with the WGA for safety sake and mail a copy to myself, which in some respects, serves as a copyright

I'm told if you email it to yourself first then that's a form of copyrighting it!?!? Not sure how true that is but if someone did walk away with it you have the proof that you are the one that owns the rights to it!

Marcus: As the creator of an original work you already own copyright as it is. However, filing a copyright and registering your work gives you solid, legal proof of ownership and an "official" date for the work. Mailing something to yourself, also known as "the poor man copyright," also gives a date to the work. Still, if you should ever find yourself in the rare occurrence of dispute over a copyright, it's best to have solid proof of ownership outside of your own personal doings. Always do your due diligence, and protect your work. :)

Jonathan, if you don't want to register it with the WGA or Library or Congress, you can go to protectrite.com - register it there and you'll be good to go. But realistically, for someone to take your idea, write a script, get it produced instead of just hiring you for your script is kind of unheard of

Thanks Marc.. good to know..Am still doing some editing on it anyway..Will keep this in mind though

She is correct. Realistically you should go to LOC anyway - it's all the same price (ish)

By LOC I take it you're referring to the copyright office which according to the site says it takes a min of 4-8 mos

I posted my script in pdf. And I also registered it with the WGA.

Hey. folks, this is a deadly serious topic and should have its own forum. I register with Library of Congress; it costs a bit more but if you electronically submit, it doesn't take too long. WGA is good for QUICK registration, but they want more money every 5 years. LOC is for your lifetime plus 75 years. As for stealing, IT HAPPENS! Hollywood's top sitcom producer steals all his stuff. I wrote what became "Dharma & Greg" only to have it stolen and I've talked to the woman who pitched what became "2 1/2 Men" to him, and the family configuration from that show happened in her family -- what more proof do you need? But he used it and slapped his name on it as creator. Early on, I thought "why would someone steal one work from me when I can offer a lifetime of works over the long haul?" Well, they don't care! All they care about is now, so they'll steal one from you and later steal more from someone else. Basically, you cannot copyright an idea, only it's execution. And mailing yourself a script in a sealed envelope and then not opening it isn't very good protection. E-mailing yourself a script doesn't do squat, because there's no security in that. That's been my experience. Your mileage may vary.

David.. VERY valuable insights taken from experience which is what matters most. I knew about the "Dharma and Greg" story and am sure there are countless others like it. However, I prefer to hold the belief of abundance rather than lack or being a victim which serves no purpose. In the end, I think we must ALL do what's necessary to protect our IP, so in this case, once I finish the edit, I will send to the LOC for copyrighting. Thanks

I'll ring in...Double up...LOC and WGAW. Maximum protection. Always. And...if through the course of rewrites, you find that your characters or plot points dramatically change, register the script again.

Thanks Rich.. I'll take that as solid advice and will do as you suggest. LOC and WGA here we come!

OK.. I successfully navigated the LOC eCO system and filed the application and uploaded the script along with registering it with the WGA. The email confirmation from the LOC only has tracking ID #'s.. is this what is used as copyright registration # or do they send another number?

Sounds great, guys, but the point I was trying to make ... and probably missed hitting home ... was that registration isn't a magic firewall against theft. All they have to do is avoid using your actual script and, if they've got deep pockets, they'll keep you legally at bay forever. They even scare the lawyers! Look up the story of "The Truman Show", it began as a well-documented stage play and yet, when the movie showed up without author permission or compensation, the big, rich movie company won it in court. That's what we get these days: all the justice money can buy.

Absolutely. The even did that on the show "Action". But not everyone is like that and yes there will be evil people and corporations and lawyers and headaches from some, but not all.

My pleasure, David.

Does theft occur occasionally? Of course. But it's usually in the form of a plot point here, a piece of dialogue there. The reality is most prod co's/studios would rather just pay for the material than deal with a lawsuit and the bad press that comes along with it...

I essentially believe in the goodness of people. I have copywrighted it and posting to a few producers as they ask whole script. If I do not trust it will lie only in my computer .

Ultimately, there is no protection--I had an entire story from my (Interview) series stolen from me even though it had been submitted through a first-look deal with that company. What you can do is copyright your material to give you the best possible response when material is taken opening up your access to statutory awards. If, as RB points out, what is taken are merely bits and pieces, take it as an indication that your material is worthwhile and enjoy the 'compliment'...