I didn't know if this should be in screen writing or in business, but I went ahead and wrote it in business (obviously). I'm writing an outline for a trilogy right now. I have the second part already registered with the WGA and I sent it off to a producer who loved the concept. To make a long story short, I really don't trust the guy. If I registered it with the WGA, before I sent it to him I should be alright as far as protection goes, right? I sent a copy to the US government, however it takes like 7 months to get a letter and I want to go ahead and start sending it out. Is it safe to send out??
WGA registration...
- Thread starter TylerGred
- Start date
bodaphoto
Well-known member
Re: WGA registration...
When you send it to the copyright office they have it postmarked and they know when it came in. If the WGA has it on a date before he submits it, you have two places it was sent to, plus you probably have all your notes and drafts that show your ideas.
If that producer uses it without your permission, your copyright exists from the moment you begin to create your idea, it is your idea, he has to have your permission. Even though it may take the Copyright Office a little time, you are still protected.
When you send it to the copyright office they have it postmarked and they know when it came in. If the WGA has it on a date before he submits it, you have two places it was sent to, plus you probably have all your notes and drafts that show your ideas.
If that producer uses it without your permission, your copyright exists from the moment you begin to create your idea, it is your idea, he has to have your permission. Even though it may take the Copyright Office a little time, you are still protected.
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: WGA registration...
The copyright office takes many months to issue your registration certificate, yes... but bodaphoto's right: it's dated the day it arrives. It may take them months to get around to issuing the certificate, but the protection date begins when they receive it.
Now, the thing is, you cannot copyright an idea. Only the expression of an idea. You can copyright a screenplay about cloning Jesus from the shroud of Turin, but you cannot copyright the idea of cloning Jesus from the shroud of Turin. So if you're worried about protecting your *idea*, you may already be hosed.
Think about it: Fox TV (especially Fox) has been "cloning" other networks' ideas for years. When they hear about a boxing reality show, they come up with "the next great champ", etc.
If someone steals your characters and your scenarios, you will have a much stronger case against them, but if they steal your basic premise or idea, you may (and the operative term is *may*) have no recourse... but that's what lawyers are for, to find out what the legality of any specific circumstance actually is.
The copyright office takes many months to issue your registration certificate, yes... but bodaphoto's right: it's dated the day it arrives. It may take them months to get around to issuing the certificate, but the protection date begins when they receive it.
Now, the thing is, you cannot copyright an idea. Only the expression of an idea. You can copyright a screenplay about cloning Jesus from the shroud of Turin, but you cannot copyright the idea of cloning Jesus from the shroud of Turin. So if you're worried about protecting your *idea*, you may already be hosed.
Think about it: Fox TV (especially Fox) has been "cloning" other networks' ideas for years. When they hear about a boxing reality show, they come up with "the next great champ", etc.
If someone steals your characters and your scenarios, you will have a much stronger case against them, but if they steal your basic premise or idea, you may (and the operative term is *may*) have no recourse... but that's what lawyers are for, to find out what the legality of any specific circumstance actually is.
Re: WGA registration...
[quote author=TylerGred link=board=MesPhotos;num=1097456708;start=0#0 date=10/10/04 at 18:05:08]I didn't know if this should be in screen writing or in business, but I went ahead and wrote it in business (obviously). I'm writing an outline for a trilogy right now. I have the second part already registered with the WGA and I sent it off to a producer who loved the concept. To make a long story short, I really don't trust the guy. If I registered it with the WGA, before I sent it to him I should be alright as far as protection goes, right? I sent a copy to the US government, however it takes like 7 months to get a letter and I want to go ahead and start sending it out. Is it safe to send out??[/quote]
No. It's not safe. Period. Send in your Copyright registration, then send out your work. You don't have to wait for your certificate to come back, because the registration will be effective retroactive to the day the intake clerk receives your work.
But just registering with the WGA is absolutely inadequate.
You asked a similar question last march in the "Writing" forum, and I gave a rather lengthy answer on what registering your copyright with the Copyright Office gives you as opposed to the WGA:
http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=writing;action=display;num=1080306477
The short answer is, if you don't trust this guy, you're shooting yourself in the foot by sending him an unregistered work. Because if you have to sue him for infringement, you can't collect attorney's fees and you can't get statutory damages--and you'll have to register the work before you can sue anyway.
Here's what I do: I register online with the WGA when I finish the work, because it's and instantaneous recording of the moment I finished the work. Then I print out a copy, fill out Form PA, write a check for $30, and send it to the Copyright Office.
Then I wait a few days, and then I start passing around the work with little or no worry.
If you don't register your work with the Copyright Office, you're just limiting your ability to protect your rights properly. It's as simple as that.
[quote author=TylerGred link=board=MesPhotos;num=1097456708;start=0#0 date=10/10/04 at 18:05:08]I didn't know if this should be in screen writing or in business, but I went ahead and wrote it in business (obviously). I'm writing an outline for a trilogy right now. I have the second part already registered with the WGA and I sent it off to a producer who loved the concept. To make a long story short, I really don't trust the guy. If I registered it with the WGA, before I sent it to him I should be alright as far as protection goes, right? I sent a copy to the US government, however it takes like 7 months to get a letter and I want to go ahead and start sending it out. Is it safe to send out??[/quote]
No. It's not safe. Period. Send in your Copyright registration, then send out your work. You don't have to wait for your certificate to come back, because the registration will be effective retroactive to the day the intake clerk receives your work.
But just registering with the WGA is absolutely inadequate.
You asked a similar question last march in the "Writing" forum, and I gave a rather lengthy answer on what registering your copyright with the Copyright Office gives you as opposed to the WGA:
http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=writing;action=display;num=1080306477
The short answer is, if you don't trust this guy, you're shooting yourself in the foot by sending him an unregistered work. Because if you have to sue him for infringement, you can't collect attorney's fees and you can't get statutory damages--and you'll have to register the work before you can sue anyway.
Here's what I do: I register online with the WGA when I finish the work, because it's and instantaneous recording of the moment I finished the work. Then I print out a copy, fill out Form PA, write a check for $30, and send it to the Copyright Office.
Then I wait a few days, and then I start passing around the work with little or no worry.
If you don't register your work with the Copyright Office, you're just limiting your ability to protect your rights properly. It's as simple as that.