Protect your films and ideas...

GageFX said:
But I failed. It happens.

-GageFX
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Well, actually, my "poor man's copyright" post was meant to be humorous, too, but hey, if a fruitful discussion comes out of it (obviously, there are still those who cling to the idea as a viable means of protection), then so much the better.

I'm *still* not sure why so many people try so hard to find a way around a simple $30 copyright registration, but it's frequent, and rampant.
 
David Jimerson said:
I'm *still* not sure why so many people try so hard to find a way around a simple $30 copyright registration, but it's frequent, and rampant.
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Can I copyright a treatment?
 
David Jimerson said:
I'm *still* not sure why so many people try so hard to find a way around a simple $30 copyright registration, but it's frequent, and rampant.
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Actually, it's now a $45 copyright registration, but that still shouldn't stop someone from doing it. :thumbsup:
 
Blaine said:
Actually, it's now a $45 copyright registration, but that still shouldn't stop someone from doing it. :thumbsup:
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Well, OK.

But I know people who register with both the WGA West and East ($20 each) but balk at copyright registration.

What is it about just registering the copyright that so many people want to avoid? In some ways, it reminds me of the people I knew who put more effort into cheating at school than it would have taken just to learn the material.
 
DC said:
Can I copyright a treatment?
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You can register a copyright for anything in tangible written form as long as it's original or you have the rights to create a derivative of something else.
 
how would registering with the wga benefit you from a legal standpoint over just getting the copyright?

do you have to register individual drafts and rewrites?
 
That's The Spirit!

(I hope you mean the video and not the copyright nonsense.)

Let's not lose sight of priorities.

-GageFX
 
GageFX said:
I will remember to read every post/thread ever before posting next time. I'll even check some other message boards in case you may have seen something there also.

My point isnt so much the clip, but my comment about mailing myself the script was as much a joke as the clip. And that has been discussed ad naseum also.... so.... the underlying theme of the post was not that one clip. It was not "How do to register copyright for my script.", it was - with the addition of post number #2.... "Hey look at the retardedly funny movie clips from the 80s and 90s..... what else have you found?"

But I failed. It happens.

-GageFX
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I don't care if you read every post or not - I don't. I was merely pointing out the video clip has been discussed here before and that is probably why more people didn't bother to respond.

btw, I believe the fight scene was mimiced from "Cobra".
 
So, my question is this - is it best to wait until you have something close to a final draft before getting a copyright on a script?
 
No real need to register it until someone is going to see it. (Or you've talked enough about it for someone to easily swipe it).
 
a copyright means "a right to copy" and its protection exists the moment you put word to page or image to film. Write a story down and it has copyright protection. It doesn't protect ideas necessarily but, an "expression of an idea that is fixed in a tangible form." The question then becomes, what is the best way to protect this copyright that already came into existence the moment you wrote it or filmed it?

The answer is to formally register it with the copyright office www.copyright.gov.forms or (202) 707-9100 (form pa)

Registering your copyright gives you additional protections that you don't have if you don't. (statutory damages and attorneys fees) This is important because there might not be actual damages otherwise in many infringements. Also you have put the world on notice (important legal construct) that the work is yours. And finally it is the best evidence anyone can provide as a sword or a shield. Also note that SAG requires proof of copyright to use a SAG actor.

In the case of treatments many use the WGA.

Don't do the self mailing, too many holes.
 
bosindy said:
a copyright means "a right to copy" and its protection exists the moment you put word to page or image to film. Write a story down and it has copyright protection. It doesn't protect ideas necessarily but, an "expression of an idea that is fixed in a tangible form." The question then becomes, what is the best way to protect this copyright that already came into existence the moment you wrote it or filmed it?

The answer is to formally register it with the copyright office www.copyright.gov.forms or (202) 707-9100 (form pa)

Registering your copyright gives you additional protections that you don't have if you don't. (statutory damages and attorneys fees) This is important because there might not be actual damages otherwise in many infringements. Also you have put the world on notice (important legal construct) that the work is yours. And finally it is the best evidence anyone can provide as a sword or a shield. Also note that SAG requires proof of copyright to use a SAG actor.

In the case of treatments many use the WGA.

Don't do the self mailing, too many holes.
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Thanks, Jim. Very informative. :) Maybe you could post that on the other thread (with the poll) too? I have a question on there that maybe you could answer.? And also, should I not copyright a treatment?
 
[SIZE=+0]Something to remember: if someone steals from your existing work (i.e. a short film, video, etc) you have a easy case. But unless they have deep pockets (i.e. $$$) what's the point?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+0][/SIZE]
[SIZE=+0][/SIZE]
[SIZE=+0]If they steal from your written work and you haven't filed it with the WGA, then you only have yourself to blame. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+0][/SIZE]
[SIZE=+0]Idea's (by themselves) are worthless. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+0]I pitched/outlined a movie for a re-write job, they dutifully wrote down each of my ideas (I didn't get the gig). Two years later they used seven of my ideas/plot points. The only satisfaction? Watching the film I knew how it was gonna end ;-)[/SIZE]
 
bosindy said:
a copyright means "a right to copy" and its protection exists the moment you put word to page or image to film. Write a story down and it has copyright protection. It doesn't protect ideas necessarily but, an "expression of an idea that is fixed in a tangible form." The question then becomes, what is the best way to protect this copyright that already came into existence the moment you wrote it or filmed it?

The answer is to formally register it with the copyright office www.copyright.gov.forms or (202) 707-9100 (form pa)

Registering your copyright gives you additional protections that you don't have if you don't. (statutory damages and attorneys fees) This is important because there might not be actual damages otherwise in many infringements. Also you have put the world on notice (important legal construct) that the work is yours. And finally it is the best evidence anyone can provide as a sword or a shield. Also note that SAG requires proof of copyright to use a SAG actor.

In the case of treatments many use the WGA.

Don't do the self mailing, too many holes.
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Right.

But keep in mind that without copyright registration, you not only don't have access to the additional protections, you don't have access to the courts.
 
DC, I wrote the best way to protect ideas on the other thread. The main question with treatments is: How much needs to be written for it to gain sufficient copyright protection? It is a sliding scale from - a one sentence written idea being 0 to a full complete script being a probable 10. Treatments can be stuck in the middle of the scale and that is not a good thing. Follow the the steps to protect yourself I listed on the other thread (buy Donaldsons book) maybe consult a local attorney ( California Lawyers for the Arts (310) 998- 5590 www.calawyersforthearts.org) and hope for the best. none of this is an exact science and many issues remain unsettled but there have been significant cases that have stated pitching ideas in certain circumstances have legally bound the parties. Don't, obviously tell everyone your idea at cocktail parties, no matter how many blueberry beers you drink :-)
 
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