Closed Topics: Copyrighting original work.

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Copyrighting original work.

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Topic: Copyrighting original work.

Posted By: th8rguykc
Subject: Copyrighting original work.
Date Posted: 2/10/05 at 10:13am

Okay, so it has finally happened! One of my scripts is being considered by my local community group for production! They are willing to pay small royalties and everything!

But, a friend suggested the script should not be turned over to them before I copyright the material.

Sounds smart! But, how? Any ideas?

Replies:

Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 2/10/05 at 11:30am

Sorry I can?t really advise you about US copyright.

I would imagine that you would have a Copyright Association, that you may have to join &/or pay a fee to register your works!

Thus you are protected in as much as, that you are able to prove independently, that it is your work & precedes any other copy, in a law court action.

I suggest you seek advice from this type of association, which is available on the net.

If your Group is prepared to pay you for performance fees, may I suggest they pay to have your work registered instead, with the Copyright Association!

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Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

Posted By: DanLB
Date Posted: 2/10/05 at 12:37pm

(Disclaimer) I am not an expert on US copyright, but the things I do know can be confirmed here: http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/ - http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/

Anything you write is copyrighted the moment you create it, you are not required to take any other steps. But to make it easier for you to protect and defend your copyright, it is best to register it. According to the web site about it's a simple process and only costs $30.00.

Dan

Originally posted by th8rguykc

Okay, so it has finally happened! One of my scripts is being considered by my local community group for production! They are willing to pay small royalties and everything!

But, a friend suggested the script should not be turned over to them before I copyright the material.

Sounds smart! But, how? Any ideas?

Posted By: Spectrum
Date Posted: 2/12/05 at 3:09am

The "POOR MAN'S" method of copyrighting is to enclose a dated copy of your material in an envelope and mail it to yourself, never opening the sealed envelope. The postmark is the proof of when the material was written. HOWEVER, this method has problems if it ever goes to court. Your best bet would be to register your work with the Library of Congress ($30.00) or with the Writer's Guild of America ($20.00). Their website is at http://www.wga.org/ - http://www.wga.org/ and they give all the procedures to register online. If your script is truly wonderful it is REALLY important to copyright it, otherwise you may see it on Broadway someday with somebody else's name as the author. ...And you would have very little recourse.

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Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.