How to Copyright a Screenplay: Step-by-Step Guide

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Күн бұрын

How to Protect Your Screenplay with Copyright? | This 2023 tutorial will show you step-by-step how to register your script with the United States Copyright Office. I'll also discuss WHEN you should copyright your script, and why no one is likely to steal your story idea.
NOTE: Don't forget to upload your screenplay at the end! I skipped over this part.
Chapters:
0:00 - Every screenwriter's WORST fear
0:40 - Screenplay copyrighting EXPLAINED
1:39 - WHY you copyright your script
2:09 - Myths about copyrighting screenplays
2:54 - Step-by-step guide to copyright your script
7:40 - What happens AFTER you pay the U.S. Copyright office?
8:36 - The real business of Hollywood is more than just...
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Пікірлер: 98

@Storylosopher Жыл бұрын

🎬Watch my masterclass to see how to launch your screenwriting career WITHOUT moving to LA! 4 Case Studies on HOW They Broke In: storylosopher.mykajabi.com/launch-screenwriting-career

@dir-gk 6 ай бұрын

thank you man, copyrighted my first screenplay today.

@Storylosopher 6 ай бұрын

You bet! What's next?

@dir-gk 6 ай бұрын

@@Storylosopher working on figuring out how we're gonna shoot my first narrative short film (was wondering if you should copyright a short film script or if thats too extra lmao) and some more things on the way, but this made me way more secure with having my feature screenplay sitting around before a movie's made so its a win!.

@cnlicnli 3 ай бұрын

3:40 *To save money on US copyright registration filing fees,* screenwriters can register ONE work via the $45 on-line “Single Application” (aka *One Work By One Author)* vs. the $65 “Standard Application.” To qualify for the *One Work By One Author* application, only ONE work can be registered by ONE author who’s the SAME copyright claimant, that’s NOT a-work-for-hire project (no corporation or LLC work), and that does NOT include any third-party media (including AI, un-/licensed creative media/contributions). The screenwriter MUST have created the ENTIRE work him/herself! Otherwise, register the one work via the Standard Application. To save money, authors/creatives can also “group-register” from two to ten *UN-published* works within the same administrative class (performing arts - screenplays) and submit them via one registration application for a single filing fee of $85 using the “Group Registration of Unpublished Works” (GRUW). Just do NOT include any PUBLISHED screenplays with the GRUW application.

@thewickedchicken82 Жыл бұрын

I'm enjoying your channel. Thanks for all the great info! I have an interesting situation. I co-authored my friend's memoir. He was freezing people back in the sixties and seventies as a pioneer in the field of cryonics. He got in over his head and did a lot of crazy (and unethical things) to keep them frozen. The book was published and my friend got a book to film deal with Mandate/Steve Zaillian. It languished in Zaillian's hands for ten years. Meanwhile, my friend passed away, and is now frozen, BTW. After the last option ended I shopped it and got a deal with Errol Morris. Errol was going to direct the film when it was with Mandate. Zallian took over and wanted to direct it himself. Anyway, back then Errol had Zach Helm pen the screenplay. Errol hated it. Recently, since Errol got the optio, he hired another writer. He hated that screenplay too. They were missing the point. Wanting to get the damn thing done, I revised a couple scenes in an attempt to get Errol to accept the latest version with me making some changes. To my shock and something akin to horror, he asked me to write a new screenplay. Mind you, I've never written a screenplay before. There is a huge learning curve that I'm working my way through, and in the end, I think it's going to work out. On the business end, my friend's wife owns the book and the rights. She's giving me 10% of what she gets from the film. I get 25% of the book. As part of the deal to get my small percentage, I'm under contract with Errol as a technical advisor. I did have an entertainment attorney set all this up. It's convoluted enough, but now I'm doing the screenplay. We haven't talked about compensation. Errol is an honorable man, but if he ends up accepting and using the screenplay, the subject will have to come up. I don't even have any idea of how much to ask for. I keep thinking that I'm going to wake up and all this was a crazy dream, but then I see my keyboard mocking me and I'm reminded that it's real. I'm a retired TV repairman being thrust into a world that I'm unfamiliar with. What do you think of this odd scenario? I'd love to hear your input. Thanks!

@Storylosopher Жыл бұрын

Wow! What a ride. As for what to ask for, writers often work on the basis of drafts being delivered. $X for this draft, $X for a polish of that draft. Regardless, compensation needs to be written into a contract reviewed by your lawyer BEFORE you start writing the script. The chain of title also sounds complicated since you were one of the original co-authors but other scripts have also been written in the past based on your source material. Again, your entertainment lawyer should help straighten that out.

@TheBryanDrummond 5 ай бұрын

Hey, thanks for the walk through. I noticed, at no point in this did you actually upload the screenplay. Where in the process does that happen?

@Storylosopher 5 ай бұрын

It happens after you pay.

@MTB_Rider_96 3 ай бұрын

Thanks, this was a Huge help!

@phineqx Ай бұрын

saved me some time thankyou

@upliftaspirittv4391 5 ай бұрын

Thank you sir! Greatly appreciated ✊🏽

@Storylosopher 3 ай бұрын

No problem 👍

@michaelstrauss6587 8 ай бұрын

Thank you Carl. This is quite helpful.

@Storylosopher 8 ай бұрын

You're very welcome

@mkmachine889 5 ай бұрын

Great video. Thank you sir

@Storylosopher 5 ай бұрын

You bet!

@Lacroix67 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting this video. I bought your course and it's helping me a lot. I'm looking to get into screenplay writing and your course and videos are helping point me in the right direction.

@Storylosopher Жыл бұрын

You're welcome! If you have any other topics you'd like me to address, let me know. :)

@cnlicnli 3 ай бұрын

Hi Carl Rogers: To be clear, you’re actually *“REGISTERING”* rather than “copyrighting” your work of authorship with the US Copyright Office. Once you’ve created a screenplay that’s original to you (i.e., you didn’t steal it from another source; it was created independently) + you included a sufficient amount of creative expression + your work fits within the scope of copyright subject matter, you’ve got an automatic copyright claim: You work is copyright-protected upon that affixation/creation. The next step is to timely *(quickly)* “register” the work with the USCO, and certainly BEFORE the work gets shopped around, entered in contest, etc.

@cnlicnli 3 ай бұрын

5:45 If your screenplay includes any appreciable amount of AI, un-/licensed material, and other things you didn’t author, you should disclose that information in the “Limitation of Claims” section of the application.

@dramahousebighen7108 8 ай бұрын

Thanks

@Storylosopher 8 ай бұрын

No problem

@TvHostAndy 3 ай бұрын

You mentioned what not to put on the title page(after getting copyrighted) What should one put instead?

@lindseyformes 5 ай бұрын

In my screenplay I have a reference to a song by its title, as well as a small excerpt from a newspaper from 1983. Do I need to credit them in my copyright submission?

@Storylosopher 5 ай бұрын

Good question! I don't think you'd need to. That likely falls under fair use since you're just referencing something in pop culture. And as long as the script itself isn't based on the article, just pulling a bit from it is likely fine. However, you'd need to get the newspaper's permission prior to filming to ensure chain of title. You could easily make a fake newspaper and have a similar but fictional excerpt if you're worried.

@NickyP1 Ай бұрын

Can I copyright before the screen play writing is completed? How would the additional information that was added after the copyright get treated?

@user-lh3cp3hu8l 5 ай бұрын

Hello! Thank you for this video. I am copyrighting a television pilot screenplay, but I was also wondering if I should copyright the pitch deck/bible to the television series and, if so, what that would be listed as.

@Storylosopher 3 ай бұрын

Probably not needed. The show bible or pitch decks aren't the same type of documents, so I don't think you'd need to formally copyright them.

@99QTZ Жыл бұрын

If I wanted to write a stageplay script does that fall under the same category? Also, what is the actual cost? Thanks for the video!

@Storylosopher Жыл бұрын

Yes, the same category. The actual cost (as of the last time I checked) is $65.

@vibhagulati6760 2 ай бұрын

For subsequent drafts do I need to re-register the script? How does that work?

@WeaponsRemorse Жыл бұрын

So I understand all of this of how to copyright in your script now. Thank you. Now. for part two, This script has been made into a comic. How would I go about copywriting that or is it generally the same principle?

@Storylosopher Жыл бұрын

It's likely the same principle, except you'd file the copyright under a different category.

@WeaponsRemorse Жыл бұрын

@@Storylosopher I see thank you for the reply

@WeaponsRemorse Жыл бұрын

Now… one more thing I have 20 pages of my comic done should I look into copy righting after I edit my script to Match the changes. ie after it is all done and edited. in the comic as they are not quite 1-1 as I am allowing alibiing/adding of scenes right now

@Storylosopher Жыл бұрын

@@WeaponsRemorse They don't have to match exactly. Treat them as separate entities since legally they are. One may be an adaptqtion of the other, but you still copyright them separately. Still, note on the comic copyright that it's based upon your screenplay.

@randomspirit 6 ай бұрын

That went really fast so I probably missed it....was there a place to upload the screenplay or is that not required? And if it is required, what if a couple years later, you haven't sold the screenplay so you do some revisions to try to make it better. Do you have to re-do the copyright then even though it's the same basic story that's just been tweaked? Thanks!

@Storylosopher 6 ай бұрын

Right, so after you enter your payment info, there should be a spot to upload the PDF. If you're doing minor revisions, it's probably not necessary, but for a major rewrite it would be advisable to copyright if you're shopping it around.

@randomspirit 6 ай бұрын

@@Storylosopher Okay, great! Thanks! :)

@Storylosopher 6 ай бұрын

@@randomspirit Of course!

@cnlicnli 3 ай бұрын

@randomspirit wrote, “…haven't sold the screenplay so you do some revisions to try to make it better. Do you have to re-do the copyright then even though it's the same basic story that's just been tweaked?” If you previously registered your screenplay with the US Copyright Office and you’ve made “substantive” changes/additions/deletions to that original work, then you should register the updates as a “derivative” work using the $65 on-line Standard Application.

@robert3892 3 ай бұрын

If you write a script with a theme involving for example Star Trek can you still copyright it as Paramount Pictures owns the copyrights to Star Trek?

@cnlicnli 3 ай бұрын

@robert3892 wrote, “If you write a script with a theme involving for example Star Trek can you still copyright *[register]* it as Paramount Pictures owns the copyrights *[and likely its trademarks]* to Star Trek?” Yes, you would be able to register your Star Trek story version with the USCO, as it could be a parody, a derivative (unlicensed adaptation), or another type of work (fan-fiction). Since your script contains an appreciable amount of content authored & owned by Paramount Pictures (and perhaps other third-parties), you’ll have to disclose that information in the “Limitation of Claims” section of your application. Unless your script is a “TRUE” parody of Star Trek or fits within the scope of copyright’s Fair Use (and you’ll need a copyright attorney to make that determination), you won’t likely be able to license and/or sell it, other than to Paramount.

@dolphinsareperverts6949 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video. do I load the script i am copyrighting anywhere? I did the whole thing and after paying I realized... what are they going to protect if i didn't load the actual work. i feel like i am misssing a piece of this puzzle edit: the next page tells you how to upload. L

@Storylosopher Жыл бұрын

Yeah, it's a SUPER old website with a bad UX. Another reason I wanted to make this walk-through!

@clintclarkson1325 Жыл бұрын

@@Storylosopher I am getting ready to hit submit. Are you saying that once you submit, it will give you an upload page to submit the screenplay itself?

@Storylosopher Жыл бұрын

@@clintclarkson1325 Yes, it should. If not, sign out and back in and see if the option shows up. If not, contact the Copyright Office for support.

@Rub-rw6rr Жыл бұрын

Do you need to Copyright your screenplay when join a film festival?

@Storylosopher Жыл бұрын

I don't think you need to, but make sure to read the rules of the film festival to ensure that "all copyrights remain with the writer" or other similar language. You don't want a sketchy festival to have chain of title on your script.

@cnlicnli 3 ай бұрын

@Rub-rw6rr wrote, “Do you need to Copyright *[register]* your screenplay when join a film festival?” *YES, Absolutely!* You gotta get your screenplay IMMEDIATELY registered with the US Copyright Office before it gets submitted to film festivals or shopped around for a buyer. Don’t delay!

@thetropicalredladya.k.atam7960 2 ай бұрын

HEY SO IF I HAVE A COMPLETED MOVIE WRITTEN 50 PAGES LONG, IS THAT CONSIDERED 1 WORK OR MULTIPLE?

@djkhaled-gc3pp 4 ай бұрын

is it samer process for script

@Storylosopher 3 ай бұрын

A screenplay is the same as a script.

@katiespade1647 6 ай бұрын

Thanks, i read a ton of books on scriptwriting. Im going rogue.

@Storylosopher 6 ай бұрын

Which ones did you like the best?

@katiespade1647 6 ай бұрын

@@Storylosopher I am reading "The Marxification of Education" which I'm fascinated with bc James Lindsey is a great writer as I read his "race Marxism" but instead of getting me to side with him - I agreed with Marxism. I read Erich Fromm 30 years ago, all of his books and his big books are "escape from freedom and The Sane Society" I thought his logic was great. I don't get this hatred for Marxism when Fromm taught at the Frankfort School and thus is considered a Marxist. I don't get it. Lindsey also doesn't think Alchemism or esoteric evolution is possible - strange bc that's exactly what I do and I can prove it. There were so many great books oh wait ur asking about the screenwriter books. Well there's John Tuby - I think that's his name - there was the Cat books, Robert McKee, Story. But I was engaged with the Write Bros Dramatica - for a long time but then I began to read other books. When I said I'm going "Rogue" what I meant is that I'm just writing- nor concerned with any rules. I have studied and studied and now I gotta get this out there. I have already made all the connections- with people in a cryptic - Scorsese, Stiller, Cruise, DeNiro. I'm known about Hollywood bc I'm Jesus Christ and have been infiltrating various people for 30 years. I finish the script find out who represents Scorsese giv'em my deal and I'm in - just like that. But that's 40 years work. Here's an example - December 22, I but decide to return a mother board "Rog Maximus XIII Z590 Hero - the sun appears to stop on that day, on Dec. 24 the sun is in alignment with the Star Sirius and the 3 stars in the Orion Belt known as the 3 kings - as in The 3 kings follow the star to rhe east, Sirius to find the sun/son - that is the day I saw ur video on FINAL DRAFT - get it - final draft and on Dec. 25 the sun/son roses. I have so many numbers which is why it took so long to create this story. Hey if Scorsese by some mistaken assessment on my part isn't interested - I'll ask you if ur interested. Thanks for asking- and the advice. I just watched "the disaster artist" that was hysterical. Hey can I see one of ur movies- where should I look. Thx

@Storylosopher 6 ай бұрын

@@katiespade1647 I'm also a fan of Truby's book; I even did a review of it on the channel. Some of my shorts and my reel are also on this channel if you'd like to watch them! My most popular is an adaptation of an Edgar Allan Poe poem from 10 years ago.

@jakariearl6921 4 ай бұрын

I registered as dramatic work, should I resubmit?

@Storylosopher 4 ай бұрын

I'm not sure about the protocol. Did the FAQs give you any hints?

@vijay99401 Ай бұрын

I've written a detailed screenplay for an existing franchise with the characters involved in the previous movies. Anything I should know/follow in the process of registering? Thanks for the video. Very helpful

@rachelleleconte2614 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for this video, but i have a question: I haven't finished my episodic, but I have a few episodes completed. What would you suggest I do? I want to register it with the WGA but submit the first episode. Would I have to copyright the fight episode and the synopsis? Or, should I finish the entire season, register it with the WGA and then get it copy written?

@Storylosopher 5 ай бұрын

Why bother registering it with the WGA at all?

@rachelleleconte2614 5 ай бұрын

I thought I had to register it with the WGA as well as copyright it@@Storylosopher

@Storylosopher 3 ай бұрын

No, WGA registration is not required and is not legally recognized as a form of copyright.@@rachelleleconte2614

@jimbogreen8481 7 ай бұрын

I have a question. I'm from and live in the United Kingdom but I have written a feature screenplay set in the US, with the intention to sell it to a US film studio one day. There is no copyright office in the UK. Technically you are the owner the minute you take an idea and write it down. I do believe it is possible to register foreign works with the US Copyright Office but I'm unsure if it's necessary. What would your advice be?

@Storylosopher 6 ай бұрын

I think you're correct-you don't have to be a US resident to file a US copyright. However, I'd double check on their website. If you're not going to be sending or shopping the script around yet, I wouldn't bother with copyrighting it yet.

@cnlicnli 3 ай бұрын

@jimbogreen8481 wrote, “I'm from and live in the United Kingdom but I have written a feature screenplay set in the US, with the intention to sell it to a US film studio one day. There is no copyright office in the UK. Technically you are the owner the minute you take an idea and write it down. I do believe it is possible to register foreign works with the US Copyright Office but I'm unsure if it's necessary. What would your advice be?” Both US and international writers who are shopping-around, licensing, selling, sharing, or distributing their works to prospective US investors, studios, publishers, agents, etc. are *ENCOURAGED* to “timely” (quickly) register (protect) their works with the US Copyright Office. The UK, USA, and most all countries are members of the Berne Convention (international copyright treaty). In short, UK and other international creatives do not have to register their copyright claims with the USCO to have legal standing to pursue US-based copyright infringers. However, they will miss many legal benefits if their works were not timely registered, including having presumptive legal proof (via prima-facie evidence) of a valid copyright (copyright creation & copyright ownership claims) + the ability to pursue statutory damages ($750 to $150,000) and possibly attorney fees against US-based infringers. As a general rule, and unless the copyright owner’s “actual damages” and/or the US infringer’s “disgorged profits” (from a work not registered) are SUBSTANTIAL and PROVABLE, the writer’s attorney fees & legal costs will typically exceed any money receive via an out-of-court settlement or post-trial, making it un-economical to pursue US copyright infringers. Joshua Kaufman is a Washington, DC copyright attorney/litigator. His short KZfaq video addresses the economics of not timely registering your works: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mah_fs6j0cu9Y40.html I have to believe that a *Certificate of Registration* issued by the US Copyright Office could be used to help prove your copyright ownership claims in the UK and other Berne countries. I also have to believe that a court outside the United States would respect & honor official documents issued by the US Copyright Office, an official US government entity. So, timely registering your works can provide you and other Berne authors with many legal dividends!

@jimbogreen8481 3 ай бұрын

@@cnlicnli Thanks for your reply. I did officially copyright it with the US copyright office. That was the 4th draft that I would occasionally send out for feedback purposes. That's why I did it. I'm now on my 9th draft and it won't be long until I'm satisfied with it to shop around. The story is still the same. However, a lot of scenes have been altered but the result of those scenes still remain the same. Would it be advisable to copyright it again? Or would it not be necessary? Thanks

@cnlicnli 3 ай бұрын

@@jimbogreen8481wrote, “The story is still the same. However, a lot of scenes have been altered but the result of those scenes still remain the same. Would it be advisable to copyright [register] it again? Or would it not be necessary?” Hi Jim: It’s hard for me to make that call, as I’m unfamiliar with your work. As a general rule, if you’ve made “substantive” changes/deletions/additions to your original, registered work and and/or to their following derivative forms, then they should be registered before they get shopped around or entered into contests. To register a derivative work, use the $65 Standard Application. You’ll have to identify changes from the original to the updated work in your application. You can include these changes in the “Limitation of Claim” section of your application. You do not have to be super-detailed; an overview of new material included would be acceptable. If you require additional space, you can attach a separate WORD or PDF document that lists your name & information with the changes, and upload it separately with your electronic script - just label that file document as “Note To Copyright Office.”

@alexisseymour9395 11 ай бұрын

The copyright site is so buggy I can't even create a user log in that I can log into. I do not believe I will be able to register my script at all. Is there any other way to register without having to create a log in?

@alexisseymour9395 11 ай бұрын

I was using Firefox. It worked in Chrome. I couldn't have done this without your vid. Thank you!! I almost did not upload the script because you didn't cover that part. lol. Lucky I saw that I had to.

@Storylosopher 11 ай бұрын

Good catch! You're welcome. Glad you tried a different browser.

@bhbecca 11 ай бұрын

Yes, I spent an hour and half and still couldn't get it to accept my information. When it finally did and I was about to finish it said, "Timed Out" and locked me out. I almost threw the computer through the wall. Tried again the next morning and it still took me three tries and nearly an hour, but it finally accepted the information and allowed the script upload.

@Lp-ze1tg 8 ай бұрын

I am situated in Canada. Will copyright my script work?

@Storylosopher 8 ай бұрын

Because you live in Canada, I'd follow Canadian copyright law.

@cnlicnli 3 ай бұрын

@Lp-ze1tg wrote, “I am situated in Canada. Will copyright my script work?” As of March 2024, it’s CAN$63 to register one creative work with the CIPO (Canadian Intellectual Property Office). Surprisingly, the CIPO does NOT require NOR will they accept your work (script). The CIPO does NOT examine NOR perform any due-diligence of your copyright application. Everything just seems to get rubber-stamped. On the other hand, the US Copyright Office (USCO) actually vets your registration application & deposit to help assure it meets the minimum requirements for a registered copyright. The US copyright registration system is the gold standard. Ideally, register your script with the CIPO and the USCO - That’s your STRONGEST legal protection. If you have limited funds, just register with the USCO. It’s US$45 to register one work. You can also register up to ten un-published scripts in one application for a total filing fee of US$85 You might be able to use your issued US copyright “Certificate of Registration” (that the USCO will mail you) to prove your copyright creation & validity in a Canadian court.

@Nayawills 2 ай бұрын

How much did it cost? 😢

@user-ft7hy3cd1o 3 ай бұрын

How much did it cost to register one screenplay is it the same price if I register two screenplays at the same time?

@Storylosopher 3 ай бұрын

I think it's around $65. You can register more than one script at a time but they are still $65 each.

@user-ft7hy3cd1o 3 ай бұрын

@@Storylosopher Thanks!

@cnlicnli 3 ай бұрын

Search for my handle *cnlicnl* in the comment sections. I posted information on the different types of registration applications and their filing fees.

@stevejarrettvt 5 ай бұрын

A person doesn't actually submit the screenplay itself via an upload? Maybe I missed something.

@stevejarrettvt 5 ай бұрын

Never mind - found your response to the same question from someone else.

@Storylosopher 5 ай бұрын

@@stevejarrettvt Yes, it's also in the video description. It happens after you pay. :)

@mulkytool 10 ай бұрын

I just wrote a season of a show with 12 episodes. Can I get a copywrite for a document that has the entire season, all 12 episodes on it. It would save me a lot of money.

@Storylosopher 10 ай бұрын

I'm guessing you can't do it that way. From the US Copyright website: You may register up to 10 unpublished works on the same application, but YOU MUST SELECT the new application for a “Group of Unpublished Works.” I'd suggest copyrighting the treatment or show bible which includes the basic story of each episode (along with maybe also copyrighting the pilot) if you want to save money. Most of the time people will want the show bible and the pilot before wanting the rest of the episodes.

@mulkytool 10 ай бұрын

@@Storylosopher Thank you. ChatGPT is saying that I can do it all as 1 work. I do know chatGPT isn't perfect, and it's cut off date is 2021 or whatever. I am not sure if anything has changed since then.

@Storylosopher 10 ай бұрын

@@mulkytool Yeah, it's better to check on the Copyright Office's official website. ChatGPT is factually unreliable.

@mulkytool 10 ай бұрын

@@Storylosopher Right on, I appreciate the help. I have made the whole first season, but have not really made a show bible yet.

@Storylosopher 10 ай бұрын

That would be good to do! @@mulkytool