Treatment Protection

Ki-Ki

Ki-Ki

Veteran
I've been talking to an author of a childrens series about turning his novels into a television show. We exchange chats frequently and he's been quite pumped at the prospect. Actually that's a bit of an understatement - I think he's just as excited as I am.

But he asked If I could send a Treatment forwards to him and his Publicists.

This the norm' I presume. But should I get it protected? Is it not possible to?

Has anyone got any guidance?


Cheers & a Happy Merrily Christmas
 
he has the copyright to the stories since he is the author. Your idea for a tv series based on his work is not protected under copyright. what you may have with him is an implied contract that if he was to go forward with a TV series using your idea, that you would be compensated, credited or a collaborator (whatever you have decided) Keep all correspondence re: the project that you have had with them, migrate from chats to email. Also register the treatment with the WGA as a form of notice to the world that you had this idea. It might come in handy down the road.
 
I see, cheers bosindy & a happy christmas.

Am I wrong in thinking the WGA is just for the USA of writers? Not international / British? I wanted to create a hardcopy backup of all conversations, and screenshots of 'Twitter Tweets' for both Inspiration on writing & proof in case I get shot in the back.

My biggest worry is that I come up with something great and they can use and build off the Treatment I created - since it's not my actual novel etc. Wasn't awae you could register a Treatment based on something that isn't legally yours.
 
You can always register treatments for derivative works. Your idea of how to adapt for the screen is exactly that: your idea. Another writer may use a different method. What you're registering is your adaptation, same as when you have the script completed.
 
That's interesting, do any of you happen to know what I'd be able to register under?

As the WGA is for America.

Cheers!
 
Rodney V. Smith said:
You can always register treatments for derivative works. Your idea of how to adapt for the screen is exactly that: your idea. Another writer may use a different method. What you're registering is your adaptation, same as when you have the script completed.
Click to expand...


True, but a treatment usually wouldn't be detailed enough to warrant a copyright that would protect you. The more you can write about the project the better if you want to go the copyright route, for instance if he should write a script for an episode.
 
bosindy said:
True, but a treatment usually wouldn't be detailed enough to warrant a copyright that would protect you. The more you can write about the project the better if you want to go the copyright route, for instance if he should write a script for an episode.
Click to expand...

Not copyright, just register. You can register a treatment though if only to have a measure of protection. Once it is scripted then you can go the copyright route.

With the treatment it establishes time of creation and the treatment of the idea for screen. That treatment is the one thing that can be protected because it it the writer's own ideas to make the story work on screen.
 
Rodney V. Smith said:
Not copyright, just register. You can register a treatment though if only to have a measure of protection. Once it is scripted then you can go the copyright route.

With the treatment it establishes time of creation and the treatment of the idea for screen. That treatment is the one thing that can be protected because it it the writer's own ideas to make the story work on screen.
Click to expand...


I misunderstood, we agree.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top