Screenwriting : Submitting Treatments to WGA by Anthony Lucas

As Laura pointed out, the copyright is the key thing and you absolutely should do that. HOWEVER, I will say, the WGA registration is like chicken soup - it can't hurt. I like to register my script with the WGA - I usually register it with the WGA East, but not sure about you being the U.K. I guess you could register it with either the WGA East or WGA West. But, I like to do it, in addition to the copyright. It's a good practice to get in. And, again, as Laura pointed out the date provides a paper trail, but the copyright is a must. GOD BLESS and STAY FRESH! ;)

Registering with the WGA is not equivalent to a registered claim of copyright. And you don't "submit," you register. Go to the site Laura shared above. All information is there. The U.K. and the U.S. certainly have treaties and recognize copyright -- you already have instant, immediate protections under "copyright" as the creator of a fixed work, e.g., a treatment or a screenplay, the second you create it. If you have questions about copyright and international concerns, I suggest you ask your local copyright office in the U.K. ;)

As a Brit, you're covered by UK Law - just the act of writing it down gives the work copyright here. You don't need to register it with a money-making scheme such as WGA or others to copyright it, if you're a Brit.

Awesome advuce. Thanks all.

Ideas aren't protected under copyright. The written words are the only thing that is protected. So a script offers the most protection. A treatment would offer less and a synopsis almost none.

Nice, thanks mate

Michael. Registration is admissible evidence in case you end up in court. US Copy Right Office (LOC) is better because it will last you your life time plus I something like 70 years compared to the WGA which has to be renewed ever five years. If you register with the LOC and you win you would be entitled to attorney fees and Compensatory Damages. If you only file with the WGA you probably would be out of luck as far as collecting any attorney fees and Compensatory Damages. My agent wants me to file with both for some reason but I never bothered asking her why. I think maybe she would get free legal fees from the WGA attorneys but I am not positive.

Michael, yes, you already have instant, immediate protections under "copyright" the very second you create a fixed work, a specific execution, e.g., a screenplay, or a painting, or a photograph, etc, which lasts your lifetime plus 70 years. Registering a claim of copyright is voluntary, but it is common practice and is an extra required step should you ever wish to bring on a lawsuit or need a stronger legal standing in a court of law. And it is often expected and required by those in the industry. Many, including some screenwriting contests, will not accept a script unless it has a registered claim of copyright. ;)

Anthony, why do you feel that you need protection?

Michael, yeah, each case is different. To prove infringement you also have to prove intent, direct access, and direct "copying" or word-for-word plagerism, etc—just saying, in general, as my lawyer has explained it to me. And that's where many cases fall apart or fail. You have copyright. And you don't need to register to have protections (see LOC information). A registered claim of copyright gives an "official" date of possession with an objective third party—evidence of ownership that has a stronger legal standing. And if ever you should wish to bring a lawsuit you must register. So it's always a good, due diligence thing to do. No doubt. A registration with WGA just creates further evidence... same as dated emails, dated digital files, dated postings, hard copies, etc, etc, etc. By the way, WGA purges their database after 5 years without notification, you have to keep track of it yourself and renew. It's a waste of money, in my opinion, especially if you are not a member. I personally do not register with WGA. That's just my choice. Others may feel differently. However, it does not have the same legal standing as a registered claim with the LOC. But again, as you know, with infringement there's much much more to prove than just ownership. There are many misunderstandings about copyright. If people have questions, I kindly suggest seeking guidance from a copyright lawyer. I'm sorry to hear you had that experience, Michael. That's frustrating. :/

Most people here only think about suing someone but they can also be sued along with the producer if someone accuses you. A lot of producers won't even consider a screenplay that has not been registered. I doubt I would ever sue someone because I know what it would cost. I was named in a lawsuit in a translation that even the Judge stated the party suing had no standing in court and the Judge also stated I was not even a party and should not have been named in the lawsuit. Great outcome for me but I still had to spend $315,000 US in attorney fees to defend myself. So if someone gets excited about suing someone they better have a lot of extra cash on hand to spend on legal fees.

Hi Doug, I'm not yet at a stage where im ready to send anything out but yeah i guess its a concern. That said, working overseas all my future submission will be via email mostly and it seems from the advice here that these would be proof enough should I have an issue down the track. I mean sending a mail on 1st Feb and registering with WGA on 1st Feb doent seem very different other than the mail is free.

Important to note, sending your script to the WGA does not copyright it. It gives you some measure of protection as it a way to show "proof" of origination. That protection only lasts 10 years unless renewed. An actual copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 100 years. It's more expensive but it's better. A US copyright protects your idea in the US although their may be reciprocal agreements with other countries. I'm not sure on that one. I never send out anything unless I have copyrighted it. As Beth points out, having a copyright will not protect you from infringement. It just gives you a means of recourse if it happens.

Gregory. Copyright does not protect ideas only the writer's written words. In other words how the writer tells their story. So ideas are free for the taking.

Agreed. I might not have been clear in my response. It has to be in a tangible written form such as a story, treatment or script. You cannot, I will substitute "concept" for "ideas", copyright a concept.

Yup, right. ;) You cannot claim an idea or a concept or a title or a color or a tone or a style, you can only claim a fixed, specific execution. A registered trademark is something else entirely. There's a list of examples of what "fixed works" are on the LOC website. And some of your other information is a bit off, Gregory. Copyright lasts your lifetime plus 70 years (for works created after 1978). And a WGA registration lasts only 5 years. They purge their database without notification. So if you wish to keep registering with WGA you will spend $25 (maybe $20?) every 5 years. This information is located on their website in the FAQs section. :)

Worldwide, a copyright is recognized as belonging to the creator the moment the work is created. Registration with a regulated body is the proof you are the originator of the work. If there is an issue of ownership and it goes to court the stronger your proof of ownership the better chance you have to defend your copyright. For US creative works, the strongest proof is registration with the Library of Congress. That cost $35. The WGA is cheaper, but the only hold material for ten years. (You hold the copyright regardless, but how will you defend it?) UK copyright law is a bit different, but I'm sure there is a way to register your work in the UK similar to the US.

Guys, check the WGA West website FAQs -- 5 years. A registration lasts for only a five-year period. :)

WGA is a labor union. Worry about WGA when you have a job.

And you can show "ownership" with all kinds of evidence: digital files, publication, emails, postings, hard copies, etc, etc, etc. Look, I strongly encourage people to take the time to read over the LOC website, lots of information readily available online. And perhaps talk to an attorney if you are confused or have specific questions. Seek guidance especially if you have more complicated situations or issues, like working for hire, working with a team (who owns what?), registering a series of works, contract agreements, selling a work thus transferring ownership, seeking rights to a property, etc. :) With information comes peace of mind -- one hopes, anyway!

Here is a great site to look up information about copyright. https://www.marklitwak.com