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There are two basic ways to protect your rights to whatever you create.
The first, which is commonly used throughout the industry, is to REGISTER your script with the WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA. The
WGA Registry has been aiding in the creation of legal evidence since 1927, and has always been a vital instrument of the Guild's
service to writers. The Writers Guild of America, West is the home of Hollywood's leading writers, and boasts a membership
of more than 10,000 film and television writers.
The WGAW Registry registers more than 55,000 pieces of literary material each year and is available to members and non-members
alike. Writers and other creators are invited to submit material to be archived by the Writers Guild to document their work.
Registration fees are $20 (U.S.) for the general public, $10 (U.S.) for WGA members in good standing. registration can
be done in person (if you happen to be in LA), by mail (payable by check or money order made out to WGA) or on the Internet.
The online system accepts only Visa/MasterCard as a form of payment. Registration is valid for a term of five (5) years. Upon
expiration, registration may be renewed for an additional five-year period at the current registration rate. See the WGA website
for more details.
You can write to the WGA West at 7000 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048 or you can reach the WGA's Registration Service
online at:
The second method is to file a COPYRIGHT with the US Patent Office in Washington. We are including an extensive text below
on the details of copyright law, but there are two primary things you need to know. First, your work is automatically covered
by copyright until it is "published" - which in effect means sending it all over the map. Second, filing a copyright
is the only means of gaining total legal protection. The WGA Registry is commonly accepted within the motion picture and television
industry as evidence of who wrote a given piece and the date it was registered. But, should you ever have to engage in litigation
over your work, a copyright is by far the most secure means of proving ownership. The Copyright Office can be reached online
at:
US Copyright Office Forms
Sorry, but you cannot copyright titles or ideas, only finished work. And when you sell your script, the rights pass to the
studio, which will copyright the movie, including the screenplay.
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