Screenwriting : How do you protect your work? by Martina Cook

I register my first draft with the WGA. LATER, final draft goes to get a Copy Right.

First of all, it's extremely rare that someone is going to steal your material but if you want to register it, do so when you're ready to send it out to anyone. Use copyright registration at the U.S. Copyright Office and DO NOT use WGA as that is as good as throwing your money in the trash. There are many articles on the net about the differences between both services, don't rely on any advice on a forum, do your research but if you want a quick rundown, let me know and I'll provide you with one.

I register my screenplay when I finish it with the LOC and the WGA. I would normally just do the LOC but for some reason my agent asks me to do both places. I don't trust too many people in this business so I don't send my scripts to anyone until they are registered.

Again, registering does not give you "copyright." When you register with the LOC you are registering a claim of copyright. You already have immediate protections as the creator of a fixed work. If you have questions research facts online or ask a copyright lawyer. Anyhoo, me, I register with the LOC when I remember to do so, or when I feel a script is done and I may be sending it out. But overall I don't have such worries or paranoia about these matters. As Pierre said, theft is incredibly rare. ;)

I am aware that WGA doesn't give you the same cover that Copyright does but it still gives you a proof of public registration and it's cheaper. Going forward I'll consider Copyright as it sounds more professional. Thanks for the advice.

Mail it to yourself! These are spec scripts. Nobody is serious about buying them; they're reading specs to check out your writing. Stop being paranoid. If there are money offers, then register it. Save your money for important stuff like cigarettes and booze :)

Thanks Dan for reminding me the right priorities! :)

Martina, WGA only lasts 5 years, you have to renew. Copyright lasts your lifetime + 70 years -- or something like that? So what little price difference between them you get more for your money if you decide to register a claim with the LOC. But whatever... I'd rather spend my money on more important stuff too, like fine wine and movie tickets. ;)

I should add, as Dan G mentions, if your agent or producer wants you to register with the WGA, then do so. Never argue with a potential sale.

Yeah, great point, Pierre... to Dan G's mention... If the situation calls for it, then by all means do so. My comments are generally given for someone just looking to file some sort of public record. With WGA you must renew after 5 years or they just simply get rid of it. Purge. Clearly with the LOC a registered claim goes further.

Here's the info posted on the WGA site: "What happens if I don't renew my registration? Registration is valid for a five-year period. Once you submit material for registration, you authorize the Guild to destroy the manuscript without notice to you upon expiration of five years from the effective date. Material that is not renewed is destroyed and purged from our possession. Once material is destroyed, the Registry will not be able to submit your work as evidence to any Guild-related or legal proceedings."

Oh, and to renew with WGA you must pay the registration fee again. So... if you're working alone, writing specs, entering scripts into various contests or submitting materials, and just looking to register a public record of your work, a one-time fee with LOC seems a good choice. But to each their own. Whatever makes you comfortable. ;)

Also a producer might not be interested in your screenplay if it is not registered. I lost a deal because of that once.

Dan M. A screenplay you mailing a letter to yourself is not admissible evidence that can be used in court because anyone can mail an unsealed envelope to themselves and stick a screenplay in it years later and then seal the envelope.

I agree with BETH. Wga is only for 10 years. I started using Copyright.gov.

Hi Jorge! And nope it's only for 5 years. ;)

To add to Dan G's last point... Most screenwriting contests ask that works be registered as well. Many on the business side view copyright registration as an expected, common, practical matter. ;)

Yeah, the mail it to yourself trick doesn't hold up in a court of law.

Five years! See you made my point, BETH girl! Thank YOU. Oh and Hi sweetheart!!!

Keep in mind there are always two tables in a courtroom and you never know which one you'll be sitting at in a lawsuit.

1. (If you want to save money) Go to the post office and mail it to yourself - however I heard how if you go to court over copyright issues this may or may not hold up in court

   2. ($25 & you will have it in 2-7 days) go to www.wgaeast.com or wgawest.com and register it that way

   3. ($50 - i think it costs that much & it takes a while but once you submit your work it is protected) you can copyright it. (www.copyright.gov)

   Good luck and congrats on finishing your work!!

To register your claim of copyright, as a single author, single claimant, one work, not for hire, costs $35. ;)

Jaclyn. Mailing it to yourself won’t work because you can mail an unsealed envelope to yourself and stick a screenplay in it years later and claim you wrote it years before. It won’t only not hold up in court it couldn’t even be used as admissible evidence for that reason. A script is registers with the LOC or the WGA the day they receive the submission. It might take you some time to get a copy but that is just a copy and you are protected in the meantime.

Register your screenplay with the WGA and copyright it once the final draft is completed (the version you send out). But let me state the obvious - this only gives you the right to sue someone who infringes on your rights to your screenplay.

Gregory. It is also used as solid admissible evidence if someone accuses you of infringing on their rights.