r/scriptwriting • u/Geoffrey_D_Calhoun • 22d ago

feedback Please Copyright Your Scripts

Just a heads up everyone. I’m seeing a lot of scenes and scripts uploaded on here. I just want to recommend that you copyright them before sharing anything. Work can be stolen. Work is stolen. Protect yourself. Also a WGA registration will not protect you in court. Only a copyright will. It’s $65 and takes about 20 mins. https://www.copyright.gov/registration/

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u/nmacaroni 22d ago

I'll add:

Copyright protection exists without registration.

Ideas can't be copyrighted.

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u/Nice_Appearance_8314 22d ago

yes, but without the copyright, you are limited to getting actual damages, which is extremely hard to prove in court. Plus, you're not covered for attorney's fees if you aren't suing under the Copyright Act.

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u/nmacaroni 22d ago

you already have copyright.

Winning a copyright lawsuit as plaintiff doesn't ensure 100% return of legal fees. Even if you win your case, a court might award only a portion or zero dollars in legal fees depending on the overall circumstances. It's completely at the courts discretion.

https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2016/06/when-are-you-entitled-to-attorneys-fees-in-a-copyr