How To Copyright Your Film Script
March 27, 2009
Your script has been completed, the final draft has been printed and you’re ready to send the finished copy to your agent. Well, my friend there are a few steps that you will need to take before your script is sent off into the world, and one of them is copyrighting your work.
I have listed the most popular ways screenwriters/scriptwriters have copyrighted their work to have it legally protected against piracy and copyright theft. Always remember to check your title against other script titles for similarity of name and storyline. Also, be sure to get correct authorizations from the proper parties if your script is an adaption of a story previously made from a book or other feature film or work.
These simple steps will reduce your stress when it comes it making sure you have the rights to the script you wrote and would like to produce one day.
You can copyright your work a number of ways. One is to copyright it through the us government copyright office, you can visit this link below.
www.copyright.gov
Or you can can copyright your work with the WGAE/A Writers Guild America East/West you can vist this link below.
www.wgaeast.org
www.wgawest.org
The Government Copyright Office will charge a $45.00 fee to submit your work for copyright, you should receive your letter within 3-6 months. Remember, once you send in the proper forms your work will be considered copyrighted once received by their office. Also, you should be able to check your copyright registration online for verification that your work has been received. The government copyright will be valid for a number of years and is very secure for a legal copyright.
With WGAE/W will charge a $22.00 fee to non-members to submit your work for copyright, you should receive your approval letter within 2-4weeks. This certificate will be valid for a number of years. This copyright is less secured but usable as a valid copyright for your script/screenplay.
This comment is derived from the opinion and experience of our staff. For more about perspective copyright resources please research the links we have provided for you. Thank You For Reading.
DT Productions Staff
