How to Legally Protect Your Screenplay

While you can never really fully protect your intellectual property in Hollywood (is this an oxymoron?), copyrights and Writers Guild of America script registrations serve as more than acceptable evidence in a court of law. I would recommend legally covering your work with both. Since 1978, a U.S. government copyright through the Library of Congress is deemed to be in effect for the author’s life plus fifty years. Note that, to have your work copyrighted, you need not register, but registering offers evidence of a valid copyright’s existence, enabling the author to seek legal damages and attorney’s fees. WGA screenplay registrations are valid for five years and may be renewable at the same fee for another five years. Registration acts as a witness, providing a dated record of the writer’s claim to authorship.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Registration Fees
• Online Access
• Your Screenplay
• Adobe Acrobat Reader software
• Large Envelope

1. Go to the U.S. Copyright Office web site. Print the copyright application. Since it’s a PDF file, you’ll need to have free Adobe Acrobat Reader software. Fill out the applications.
2. Put completed application, a $45 check payable to “Register of Copyrights”, along with a non-returnable copy of the screenplay into a large envelope.
3. Send the package to: Library of Congress Copyright Office 101 Independence Ave, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20559-6000 The registration becomes effective on the day that the Copyright Office receives the package.
4. Go to the Writers Guild of America, West’s screenplay registration web site. The registration service is available to non-members as well as members. The registration fee for non-members is $20. For members, it’s $10. Registration may be done online, or it can be mailed like a U.S. government copyright registration application. For online registration, attach your screenplay in an acceptable file format and pay with a valid credit card. For snail-mail registration, send the completed application, a check for the registration fee, and a copy of your screenplay to: WGAW Registry 7000 Third Street Los Angeles, CA 90048 The Writers Guild of America, East also offers online script registration for members and non-members. The WGAE also offers discounted non-member student fees. For snail-mail registration, send the completed application, a check for the registration fee, and a copy of your screenplay to: WGAE 555 West 57th St New York, New York 10019

Tips & Warnings

• If the screenplay is a “work for hire”, the copyright will last for 75 years from publication.