Wga Register Your Scripts

[Kmaia]

That's very interesting...I would not have thought to register the treatment! I will now though.

[Leah]

Hi
I co-organize a screenwriters group in Austin and we tell our writers all of the time.
1. Copyright your work
2. Register with WGA after you copyright your work
3. If the worst happens, realize that you are a creative person and if you dreamed up one creative idea thats fantastic you will go on to dream up 30 more. However the low down son of a dog who stole your idea is a one-trick pony.
So in summation protect your stuff and be realistic.
I will say in our open critiques we have our writers sign non-disclosure agreements, really just to be able to kick them out of the organization if their fingers or ears become sticky but it is a minor thing legally. Of course this was started by someone coming in to edit scripts, picking up a copy and trying to leave while the writer was asking for the return of the copy. Guy did NOT want to give it up. My partner got it back for the writer and we booted the jackass out.
What can I say it is a tough sandbox at times. Protect your stuff legally just do not do not mail it to yourself. That is a myth.
Be Well
Leah

[Mike Manning]

This thread really should be "COPYRIGHT YOUR SCRIPTS"

You only NEED to register with the WGA if you're a member of the WGA. Otherwise there's really no point unless it helps you sleep better at night.

[PannyManiac]

Most people know better than to blatantly steal ideas/concepts and try to repackage them. Unfortunately, the business is full of dishonest and greedy individuals looking to exploit anyone for a quick buck.

Having a work copyrighted with the WGA is better than just putting a © symbol on a hard copy or in the credits of your film, and also serves as the extra piece of proof you might need to build a case against someone who has stolen your work. If a major studio winds up swiping your work, though, you're pretty much screwed.

The most important thing to AVOID is discussing your script/ideas to anyone not involved in the production until the contract has been signed, copies have been made and notarized, and the check is in the mail.

[Anthony Todaro]

Greetings all,

This is my first post. I have been doing some research on this subject and would like to share some findings.

Farnsworth's citing of that other post is dead-on. I used to blindly register with the WGA as all my screenwriting books and WGA member friends have advised me to do so over the years.

Hands down, it's pointless if one is not in the guild.

Copyright
- $35 one-time fee, good forever
- Time-stamped
- Allows the recovery of fees and damages (THIS IS HUGE! -- GOOGLE: sophia stewart)
- It is literally the ipso facto standard for written work in the legal system

WGA
- $20 every 5 years
- After 5 years, if not re-registered, the work becomes available for WGA members to peruse
- Time-stamped
- No legal advantages, court isn't likely to call a "WGA-rep" for a "time-stamp"
- Often promoted by, WGA friendly, "how to" resources as a standard, but it is simply a revenue builder

Important stuff to note:

• A copyright or WGA registration, does NOT protect one's idea, only the written work itself.

• The title of one's screenplay is not protected by a copyright or WGA registration.

• The title of a one's screenplay or film will only be issued a "trademark" if it is a series of works not a single work. (One might consider not registering with a really awesome title, as it is not protected.)

I now only use ©'s on all my work, shorts, features and treatments. If I ever make it into the guild, I will use WGA registration in combination, as to support the union.

Until then, I'll keep my $20 and my titles to myself.

[Chris_Keaton]

Can you get your stuff out of the WGA's files if you don't want to keep paying them?

[Anthony Todaro]

Originally Posted by Chris_Keaton

Can you get your stuff out of the WGA's files if you don't want to keep paying them?

Good question.

I got this from WGA.com:

Q: Can material be withdrawn or removed from the Registry?

A: Deposited material cannot be returned to the writer without defeating the purpose of registration. It is therefore important to always retain a separate copy of the material being registered. However, one or more of the listed authors, identified by photo ID, may purchase copies.

This is regarding "re-registration" -- It clearly states that they purge the work after 5 years. Also it says no one but the author has access to the work, but I have heard otherwise from internal sources.

Q: What happens if I don't renew my registration?

A: Registration is valid for a five-year period. Once you submit material for registration, you authorize the Guild to destroy the manuscript without notice to you upon expiration of five years from the effective date. Material that is not renewed is destroyed and purged from our possession. Once material is destroyed, the Registry will not be able to submit your work as evidence to any Guild-related or legal proceedings.

[StormFactory]

I registered my material with the WGA before I was a member and I still do after becoming a member. There are benefits, union or non, I'm just to tired to type them.

There are new registries cropping up but I would stick with the WGA and/or www.copyright.gov.

[Anthony Todaro]

Originally Posted by StormFactory

I registered my material with the WGA before I was a member and I still do after becoming a member. There are benefits, union or non, I'm just to tired to type them.

There are new registries cropping up but I would stick with the WGA and/or www.copyright.gov.

Hey StormFactory if you get some time or have a link, I would love to find out what benefits registering a work with WGA offers non-members, other then a time-stamp and a WGA rep to stand in court regarding that stamp.

From all the literature on their site I only got: time-stamp and a court rep.

I don't like the idea of having to re-register all of my works with WGA every 5 years, just for a time-stamp.

My US copyright covers them forever for a one-time $35 fee and a copyright will allow me, legally, to seek damages and recoup legal fees if I need to sue. Also, one cannot sue without a copyright so it just seems logical.

Why pay for 2 time-stamps?

As a WGA member, is there any truth to you guys having access to old submissions, or is that my other WGA buddies F'ing with me? Lol. Probably the latter.

I love a good conspiracy!

[lasiksurgeon]

If you have a project that is not 100% complete, but the treatment for the partial project is being looked at and shopped around, do you copyright the draft you have thus far or wait until it is a final draft?
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