Question: Before sending your screenplays to get copyrighted, would you send it to get coverage first so you can work on the rewrite before then? Thanks!
Re-writes won't affect the original copyright as long as you're on the track with the basic concept of the story...say, you copyright a story of a murder, but later on change it to a story about unicorns...and getting coverage is anyone's own decision...might help, might not...
Unless your spec becomes an entirely different animal, your initial copyright will cover any rewrites; so register before sending - as most are advising.
Honestly, id say 60% of my clients dont copyright before they send it to me for notes. If you start stealing clients ideas or scripts, youre not gonna be in biz very long. but for random coverage places... yea id register it first.
if you don’t have connections for sure get it copy written, In this day and age though, if someone tries to steal your stuff? chances are you already had your agent to look over it, your agency., your other friends. there is a date and time for all of this. Also, there is a possibility you just had the same idea? that’s why we re write a lot of the time.
Register / Log In
3 people like this
I generally get WGAE registration before sending it to anyone - including coverage. I have not attained copyright on my screenplays.
1 person likes this
Agree on getting it registered with the WGA
2 people like this
I usually get it registered first
3 people like this
Re-writes won't affect the original copyright as long as you're on the track with the basic concept of the story...say, you copyright a story of a murder, but later on change it to a story about unicorns...and getting coverage is anyone's own decision...might help, might not...
4 people like this
Lock it in ASAP, especially before sharing it around with other writers/readers/industry members.
Don't go for WGA registration first. Use the Library of Congress and then maybe get WGA in addition if you want.
4 people like this
Unless your spec becomes an entirely different animal, your initial copyright will cover any rewrites; so register before sending - as most are advising.
3 people like this
Double check, but I believe up to 30% script changes do not require a re-registration. Title changes do not at all.
4 people like this
$100 covers both LoC & WGA, and your peace of mind. (Unless $100 is a financial stretch).
2 people like this
Honestly, id say 60% of my clients dont copyright before they send it to me for notes. If you start stealing clients ideas or scripts, youre not gonna be in biz very long. but for random coverage places... yea id register it first.
if you don’t have connections for sure get it copy written, In this day and age though, if someone tries to steal your stuff? chances are you already had your agent to look over it, your agency., your other friends. there is a date and time for all of this. Also, there is a possibility you just had the same idea? that’s why we re write a lot of the time.
1 person likes this
I registered mine first with WGA, then LoC.