Copyrighting Your Movie Script: A Step-by-Step Guide

As aspiring filmmakers, we know how vital it is to protect our work. A copyright is a legal document that keeps your ideas, like screenplays, safe from theft. The law says you can’t copyright an idea, but you can protect how you write it¹.

Registering your script with the United States Copyright Office (USCO) is key in filmmaking¹. It costs $45 online for one work by one author. Paper filing is $125¹. This step gives you the right to copy, share, sell, perform, and show your script¹.

Registering early lets you sue for copyright infringement and get back damages and legal fees¹. Also, registered scripts are more attractive to buyers since they know they’re protected¹.

The initial cost is small, but the long-term benefits of copyrighting are huge¹. Copyright lasts for the author’s life plus 70 years. This means your work is safe for many years¹.

Why You Should Copyright Your Screenplay

Copyrighting your screenplay makes a public record of your script. This can protect you if you need to take legal action. While it’s unlikely you’ll end up in court, it’s still a smart move. The US Copyright Office automatically protects your work, but registering it gives you more legal benefits².

Copyright is key for artists to keep their work and protect it from being copied³. To prove copyright infringement, you need to show someone had access to your script². Keep records of who sees your work and mark emails as confidential to protect it². Legal protection can stop others from copying your work².

Think about when to share your script based on your readiness and audience². You don’t need to add extra statements on the script for copyright, but you can if you want². Remember, copyright protects how you express an idea, not the idea itself².

The Writers’ Guild of America Script Registry and the US Library of Congress Copyright Office offer script registration in the USA². The US Library of Congress Copyright Office registration lets you sue for damages and attorney’s fees². Even though the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain says you own copyright unless you assign it, registering still adds legal protection².

In conclusion, copyrighting your screenplay is a crucial step in protecting your creative work and ensuring your rights as an author are safeguarded. It’s a simple process that can provide valuable legal benefits should you ever need to defend your intellectual property²³⁴.

The Step-by-Step Process

To copyright your screenplay, first log in to the US Copyright Office (USCO) website. Then, fill out their online application. You’ll need to give your contact info, the script’s title, and the names of all authors⁵.

The cost for basic online copyright registration is $45 for a single work with one author⁶. There’s also a faster “Special Handling” option for $800 in some cases⁶.

You must submit a copy of your script. You can upload a digital copy online. Or, if mailing, you’ll need to send a physical copy⁶.

After applying and paying, your script is protected. Even though it might take months to get the official certificate⁶.

Screenplays usually range from 90 to 120 pages. Comedies are about 90 pages, or 1.5 hours, while dramas are 120 pages, or 2 hours⁷. The film industry uses 12-point Courier font, with one page equaling about one minute of screen time⁷.

The margins for a screenplay are 1″ top, bottom, and right, with the left margin at 1.5″⁷. Page numbers start in the upper right corner, 0.5″ from the top, except for the first page with ‘FADE IN:’⁷. Each script element, like scene headings and action descriptions, has its own formatting rules⁷.

FAQ

What is the process for copyrighting a movie script?

To copyright your screenplay, you must register it with the US Copyright Office (USCO). First, complete their online application. Then, pay the required fee and submit a copy of your script.

How much does it cost to copyright a movie script?

The basic online copyright registration fee is . This applies to a single work with one author. There’s also an expedited “Special Handling” option for 0 in specific cases.

Do I need to submit a physical copy of my script?

If you file online, you can upload a digital copy of your script. But, if you submit by mail, you must send a physical copy.

How long does it take to get a copyright certificate for my screenplay?

After you submit your application and payment, your script is legally protected. It may take several months to get the official copyright certificate from the USCO.

How does copyrighting my screenplay protect my intellectual property?

Copyrighting your screenplay creates a public record of your script’s existence. This can protect you if you face plagiarism or theft. While court battles are rare, copyrighting is a crucial step to safeguard your work.

Source Links

How to Copyright a Script – https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/how-to-copyright-a-script
What Is Copyright? A Guide for Screenwriters – Script Angel – https://scriptangel.com/copyright-for-screenwriters/
How to Copyright Your Screenplay and Film – The Film Fund – https://www.thefilmfund.co/how-to-copyright-your-screenplay-and-film/
Should I Copyright My Screenplay? – https://medium.com/moving-pictures/should-i-copyright-my-screenplay-b2c5e4449b45
How To Protect Your Screenplay – Arc Studio Blog – https://www.arcstudiopro.com/blog/how-to-protect-your-screenplay
Step-by-Step Guide: Registration of a Copyright ~ CreativeFuture – https://www.creativefuture.org/creativity-toolkit/step-by-step-guide-registration-of-a-copyright/
How to Write a Script (Step-by-Step Guide) | Boords – https://boords.com/how-to-write-a-script

Copyrighting Your Movie Script: A Step-by-Step Guide