If loglines are a dime a dozen and can not be copyrighted....

Randall_Oelerich

Randall_Oelerich

Veteran
Why, when sending query letters to prodcos (and some agencies) and pitching a logline in the query letter, do some of those prodcos/agencies return your query letter along with a letter from their legal department disavowing that they have read your logline and query letter? Makes no sense, why would they be concerned legally about just reading a logline?
 
They're just watching their backs in case they're developing something similar to what you're pitching. Who's to say you didn't send them your script, they liked it, and then ripped you off?
 
It's boilerplate. Same with most publishing houses, they won't even open an unsolicited manuscript. There is more content coming in than anyone in their position can take into consideration and they want a clear papertrail for any items they do accept. It's not personal.
 
vcassel said:
They're just watching their backs in case they're developing something similar to what you're pitching. Who's to say you didn't send them your script, they liked it, and then ripped you off?
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But my point is i am only sending them a logline, concept, not my script. And as we have discussed here many times, loglines can not be copyrighted, they are just an idea. So why are they prodcos so legally defensive over just a logline?
 
They are legally defensive over EVERYTHING and ANYTHING you send them unsolicited Send a script next time in addition to your letter with the log line. You'll receive the exact same response. It's boilerplate.

Sorry, there's nothing magic about a log line. Be glad you received the rejection letter. The other alternative is they just throw it in the garbage can and you hear nothing.
 
A logline (the words set to paper) would be protected by copyright. The idea expressed in it isn't, though.
 
Randall_Oelerich said:
But my point is i am only sending them a logline, concept, not my script. And as we have discussed here many times, loglines can not be copyrighted, they are just an idea. So why are they prodcos so legally defensive over just a logline?
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And my point is that you may still have sued them had they read your logline and they had a similar idea waiting in the wings. Frivolous or not, these companies are in the business of making money, not losing it.
 
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