Is copyright registration with the U.S. Copyright Office just a money grab? Is registering your work with the Writers Guild good enough? I'm interested to hear everyone's thoughts on copyright registration before posting on-line all or part of your written material for Hollywood's scrutiny.
On Writing : Copyright Registration by Jeff Gregory
Other topics in Authoring & Playwriting:
Check out Trending Discussions
Register / Log In
4 people like this
I think registering work with the U.S. Copyright Office is definitely worth it, Jeff Gregory. I stopped registering my work with the WGA way back because it doesn't have the same protection as registering it with the Copyright Office.
3 people like this
Excellent comment, Maurice Vaughan!
2 people like this
Thanks, Jeff Gregory. Great idea for a post. I spent a lot of money registering scripts with the WGA because I thought it was the right way to go.
1 person likes this
Thank You Jeff Gregory for asking - and Maurice Vaughan for your insight! I was registered with WGA & feel much better now that my script baby is also registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. WHEW.
1 person likes this
You're welcome, Debbie Seagle.
1 person likes this
Glad to be reading this, Debbie!
2 people like this
Thanks, Matthew. Those quotes are from other authors' words to me. According to the SCOTUS, March 4, 2019, litigation cannot commence unless there is a registered copyright in existence. The particular case involved a registered copyright that was pending, and litigation was premature. Thanks again for weighing in. https://www.klgates.com/US-Supreme-Court-Decides-Two-Copyright-Cases-and... refers.
3 people like this
Jeff Gregory They say it is copyrighted once you put pen to paper. But having a paper trail to prove it's yours (electronic documentation is best) helps even more. To really have legal on your side, registering with the U.S. Copyright Office is a good plan.
2 people like this
Kat Spencer, yes, that is true, but it is the level of proof tht courts required that the work or rights belong to the content creator.
1 person likes this
I did both the WGA and copyright on my scripts. The copyright lets you copyright up to 10 unproduced screenplays with one submission ($85) and they require that each script is uploaded. I don't believe I would ever have to use it but then again I said that about my flood insurance and I was wrong about that.
1 person likes this
I've been really close to selling a couple of my screenplays. One of the questions asked was, did I have a copyright. This experience made me more confident about it.
I copyright every screenplay as soon as I finish it. Because if someone steals it, I have a paper trail to assist should there be legal issues. Besides, it tells you on the Writer's Guild website that registering a screenplay with them is not a copyright. Inferring, in my opinion, that a copyright with the Library of Congress is legally more substantial.
I've spoken to a couple of writers too afraid to show people their work because they were really, really scared that someone is going to steal their ideas. I suggested that they copyright their screenplays. It helped give them peace of mind.