Registration of topic for copyrights?

S

Sharp-Shooter

Active member
Hi,

I have already started working on my first documentary. I am based in Toronto, Canada and was wondering is there a need or way to register the name/theme of my topic and-or title, and if yes where do I do it? The reason I am asking this is, I am working on a very interesting topic and feel insecure that while I am talking to people around me, somebody might just land up doing the same. Any suggestions will be highly appreciated.
P.S. Will be done using DVX of course :)
 
Re: Registration of topic for copyrights?

on a side note, I'm not sure if you can register a topic...but one thing you can do is draw up a non-compete/non-disclosure agreement and have people sign it before you consult with them.

That might give you a feeling of security, as then everyone who signs it could not go develop competing products to yours.
 
Re: Registration of topic for copyrights?

If I'm not mistaken, you can register the film description with Writer's Guild of America and the Library of Congress. In Canada there might be similar agencies.
 
Re: Registration of topic for copyrights?

Even if that's true, I don't think it would apply to documentary ideas. News and documentaries are fair game usually, facts are difficult to copyright.

Reality programming is a different story, but that tends to deal far less with factual public information.
 
Re: Registration of topic for copyrights?

You could also try having the people you are talking to sign some sort of DISCLOSURE form or release that basically says I am telling you about something I am planning on doing and you cannot used my ideas and my techniques to go and do it yourself. A friend of mine at work had an idea for a local TV show but he would not tell me anything about it until I signed a form!
 
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