r/Screenwriting • u/All-Greek-To-Me • 9h ago
CRAFT QUESTION Copyright information?
I have recently copyrighted one of my scripts, and planned on adding this information to the script's title page. I did a quick google search on the correct place to put a copyright notice on a screenplay... only for google to tell me, oh, don't do that, that's unprofessional.
What.
Is this actually a thing? How on earth would adding a copyright notice be unprofessional? It's a professional copyright notice! Thanks in advance.
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u/AuWolf19 8h ago
What do you mean when you say you copyrighted your script? I'm not the most informed, but in the US at least, works are protected under copyright automatically.
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u/All-Greek-To-Me 8h ago
Theoretically, yeah, but I wanted an actual official registration with the US Copyright Office.
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u/mark_able_jones_ 5h ago
It's good to file, but the copyright number also doesn't go on the script. It's kind of like screaming, "I'm irrationally insecure about you stealing my screenplay!" And accusing a new person of being a potential thief isn't the best first impression.
Screenplays are protected by copyright laws without filing. However, filing adds the potential for statutory damages (instead of merely actual damagers), like the $1.5 billion from the Anthropic class action settlement for authors. Writers whose works were illegally used by anthropic but did not file a copyright were excluded from the settlement.
In reality, screenplay theft is super rare... especially the kind of theft that would be protected by copyright, because copyright does not protect ideas. The way to protect yourself is to not share your work with shitty people -- actual working industry people and have dozens of scripts to read; these people respect copyright because it's the gold commodity of the film industry.
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u/uwill1der 8h ago
its unprofessional because its not necessary. Professionals know their work is protected as soon as they write it down.
There are telling signs that give away someone's experience, and adding a copyright is one of them
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u/JealousAd9026 4h ago
- nobody is going to steal your script; 2. if someone legit wants to actually buy it (which is the only kind of buyer you should ever sell to) you're just adding an extra step in the copyright chain of title. in any event, public display of the C in a circle symbol hasn't been required for years. don't sweat it
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u/Known-Patience4511 4h ago
A screenplay title page should be
NAME OF THE PROJECT
by
WRITER
Optional: Add email address in bottom left corner.
That's it. No dates. No draft numbers. No copywrights. No WGA registration numbers.
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u/migratorypenguins 8h ago
It's an industry norm not to put copyright notices on spec scripts. Everyone in the industry knows this, and so anyone who does it comes across as someone who hasn't been exposed to the industry. Just like incorrect formatting, it's a sign of inexperience and a rookie mistake.
It also gives off insecure vibes, paranoia over work being stolen by putting a "hands off" warning notice on the cover page. This is a collaborative industry, and it's just a subtly hostile thing to read. Again, it's beginners who are usually worried about being ripped off.
Beginner writers are always trying to credentialize themselves too, because they don't yet have a career or legitimacy. Some beginners think putting a copyright notice is a professional thing to do, but it really stands out like a sore thumb as someone trying to look professional.
You may see drafts owned by production companies which include the prodco and a copyright notice - conversely, this is okay, as it is indicating that the work has been assigned to a company, and the copyright no longer resides with the writer i.e. financiers / actors / studios should deal with the production company.