Screenwriting : Copyright by Les Collins

First off, you copywrite, protect yourself. This will never change. It has nothing to do with you submitting or selling since you don't put the "written date" on, in the script.

so the actual date of the copyright from the US copyright office

doesn't go on the cover page?

Always get your legal protections in order. It's been said before a million times: "This is a very litigious business." I don't even throw around loglines and whatnot too much because it's impossible to copyright an idea.

The newbie writer paranoia raises its head once again. Don't worry about it and just get on with your life/career.

That is an interesting take on the issue. I have the copyright date on. the front of the script. But like Dan, I am more interested about prove the time and date I created it.

If the date on the front is part of someone’s criteria, I would say don’t work with them. If they use arbitrary facts rather than story and writing quality, they will be a pain in the ass.

I copyright everything. Don't really care what others think. A copy will hold up in court better than anything else, including WGA register.

Putting the copyright on the title page? Not done.

Registering your script? Required.

If you sell the script you will need to fill out a form that transfers copyright to the production company, they will want to know the registration number.