Screenwriting : I need an answer pronto!! by D A Stenard

I don't know why they did it but it isn't necesary and it might rub some people the wrong way because you're saying you want them to buy what you are selling but you don't trust them.

Hi and my understanding is that you should put on the title page that the work is registered or copyright because it ensures the reader that you have rights.

Asmaa Jamil And some get offended. If they like your screenplay they will probably ask you then. Anyway that is how it seemed to work in my case.

Thank you, Dan, for sharing your experience. I guess it's a preference.

Hey DA! Your bible does need to be registered with the WGA, but DOES NOT need to be included on your materials. "Insulted" may be a strong word, but execs and reps might find it "amateur." Good luck!

Agreed. Not insulting, but amateur.

It’s important to protect your work, but be chill about it. Don’t shout from the rooftops, “It’s mine! Don’t steal it!”

Of course we won’t steal it. We’re professional.

Now let’s say there’s a true thief out there who sees your work. The copyright notice is not a deterrent. If they take your work, you’ll have to sue, and that’s where a registered copyright comes in handy.

Yes! you don't need to put WGA registration on your projects. also, you can't register a Bible. But it does tell a producer you dint trust them.

Asmaa Jamil No, that is incorrect and you should not put that on a title pg! it is assumed you copyrighted your script.

Maya is an incredible graphic designer, D A Stenard! I agree with what others said. Don't put the info in your pitch bible. I suggest registering with the U.S. Copyright Office instead of the WGA.

Everyone will assume you registered your material (with the Library of Congress, as you always should), and there is no need to put a WGA registration or copyright notice on anything you send out. And, yes, in the eyes of the industry putting that info on a script or pitch deck or other story material will (fairly or not) mark one as an amateur. WGA registration is good for a quick emergency-- such as you're unexpectedly going into a pitch meeting that day with new material-- temporarily, but copyright registration with the Library of Congress is really the only way to protect a script or other story material to the extent possible by law. WGA registration helps to show date of creation. But copyright registration with the Library of Congress (which can be done online at their website) provides many more protections. You can't protect an "idea" or logline, but if you flesh it out into a script, story, synopsis or treatment, copyright registration is essential and useful. On March 4, 2019, a unanimous Supreme Court held that a copyrighted work must be registered with the Copyright Office before the copyright owner may sue for infringement of the work (though you can sue for infringement that took place even before the registration, once it is registered). WGA registration is not the same as copyright. Note that it can take around 7 months for one to receive a copyright registration certificate, though the date of it becomes retroactive to the date all materials, the copyright registration application form, and payment were received in good order. I am not an attorney, so verify all information I've given above with your entertainment attorney.

As a producer, I personally don’t get offended by, or frown upon, seeing that work is registered. But either way, you should register your work with the WGA. A copyright is without doubt stronger legal protection and gives you basis for a law suit if need be but the WGA registration offers you the potential for arbitration via the guild, which doesn’t cost legal fees and can result in credits and compensation.

Here’s an article about a WGA arbitration case my brother (a Stage 32 educator) was involved with: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-04-et-scriptland4-story.html?_gl=1qasb1b_gcl_au*MTkxNjQzNjA5OS4xNzIzNDk2NjY0

Will WGA do arbitration for screenwriters who are not WGA members (because they are not eligible for membership), but whose script is WGA-registered?

Yea, I would take it out. Like others have said, it is assumed. So putting it in there marks you as a newbie.

Staton Rabin - that’s a great point. To qualify for arbitration via the WGA, the producer/studio has to be a WGA Signatory so if it’s a non-union deal then you would not be eligible for arbitration. Which brings it back to copyright law as most broad legal protection.

Thanks, Sam Sokolow, for this additional information.

Fingers crossed your option deal is more than what you paid for bible work, wga & usco fees, and lawyer fees