Q: copyright on script changes ??

J Davis

J Davis

Veteran
I am preparing a short film script that I will get copyrighted and registered with the WGA. I then intend to circulate it amongst producers. However, I know what I am like and I tend to make changes to the script and sometimes to the whole storyline.

Can anyone tell me how copyright relates to these changes?
and to what severity changes can be made before copyright must be redone?
 
Just register the script itself with the WGA, once the film is finished, get that copyright protected. That's how I would go about it.
 
Your work is automatically copyrighted when you have written it. But I think you mean registering copyright, which is what you need to do in a practical sense to have legal protection and remedies. Forget WGA, at a minimum register your work with the Lib of Congress Copyright Office, $35 if done electronically. WGA registration is worthless in my opinion, unless you just want to give the WGA money to help the writers guild which it not such a bad thing. But minimally register with the US Copyright Office as mentioned-- far far better legal protection.

It is a bit subjective as to if and when you need to re-register if you make script changes. What I do is register a treatment, then the first draft of the screenplay, then the final draft; minor changes after that would not really merit paying for further registrations but if a lot of money is on the line with potential sales then I might register additional changed versions.
 
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