Registering Re-writes
mjsmith said:
I was told to copyright and register (with the WGA) a screeplay as soon as it's finished. What happens when you do that but then make changes in it or rewrites? Should you reapply for a copyright or are your changes covered? I made changes in the sequence of events but not the storyline and am not sure if the copyright covers that.
Below is a copy of the post I wrote in the "Copyrighting a short script" Forum. My suggestion would be to Register when you finish your script with both the WGA and the Copyright Office [and certainly before you send it out to anyone]. Then when you get feedback, notes, etc. and/or just decide to make additional changes and then are going to send the revised script out --- register with the Copyright Office [do not need to re-register with the WGA]. When you register with the Copyright Office, you name the script: "Same Title 2" state that the work is a derivative work of "Title 1". The Copyright Form asks what was changed. Examples include: Changes to Act 1, additional characters. When someone buys the script from you, they won't register it as a screenplay, they will register it as a motion picture when the film is done. The underlying work [despite the fact that it will again go through numerous re-writes] will be Title 2.
MovieKat
MovieKat7@hotmail.com
MovieKat.blogspot.com
: I read this article and thought it was interesting. I think I will register my next feature this way. But, I think it would definitely be beneficial with short scripts. Just follow the format requirement for filing a Form TX. Then, even if you decide to write a feature length script from your "short" [now considered a short story], you will forever be the author and copyright holder of the underlying work. If someone else wants to write a feature length screenplay from your short --- it will be considered a derivative work and they need your permission and/or you have a claim.
MovieKat
MovieKat.blogspot.com
Found at this site:
http://www.hollywoodlitsales.com/cf....cfm?intID=1740
My POV
Brian A. Wilson
THE RIGHT COPYRIGHT
Here's about the best, most clever take I've heard on the copyright procedure for screenplays.
If you're like me, you've been seduced by filling out Short Form PA. It's fast, it's easy, it's, well, short.
But it's not the best solution.
The following procedure was suggested by John Longenecker, an Oscar-winning filmmaker. I heard him speak at a Sherwood Oaks seminar, and he shared this approach with us.
Here's what you do:
Write your screenplay.
Copy it. Paste it into Word or your favorite word processing program.
Reformat it so it looks like a manuscript or traditional document, not a screenplay.
Register that document on Form TX (Short Form TX is fine as well). This makes your writing a literary work.
Now here's the good part.
Next, fill out Long Form PA for your screenplay. List it as a derivative work of your literary work that you registered on form TX.
That's it!
What does this mean? It means that if you sell your script and ultimately get bumped off the project down the line (common in the early going of one's career), you'll still get screen credit. It'll come in the form of "based on the story by Yours Truly." That's because by registering your writing as a literary work on form TX, you've created the "underlying literary material" upon which your screenplay, or any subsequent screenplay, is based.
The screenplay-written by you or whomever else-becomes a derivative work. So does anything else that comes out of the project-TV shows, theme park rides, special packaging on Wheaties boxes. And guess who is at the head of that revenue stream? You are, because you hold the copyright in the underlying material.
Genius, baby. Wish I'd thought of it, but all props to Mr. Longenecker.
Yes, you're out two $30 copyright fees, but that's showbiz.
It's too late to do this with any scripts you've registered previously, but by all means, use this technique for every script you write from now on. It's a little time consuming, but with global search and replace, it's not that hard to reformat your script.
When those royalty checks start rolling in, you'll be glad you did it.
Annoying but necessary Disclaimer: By the way, I'm not a lawyer, the foregoing isn't a valid legal opinion, and please don't construe it as such or hold me responsible for your copyright concerns in anyway. If you have questions or doubts about copyright law, consult your entertainment attorney.
Keep writing.
BW
LA