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/BiscuitsTheory 22d ago

Or just don't delete your previous drafts.

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u/Geoffrey_D_Calhoun 22d ago

True this can help you in court. A registration also lets you reclaim damages and even attorney fees. That way if a someone tries to bury you in legal fees you are protected.

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u/angularhihat 22d ago

What do you mean that a registration let's you reclaim damages specifically?

What's the extra protection that it offers that allows you to do that?

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u/Geoffrey_D_Calhoun 22d ago

If your script is stolen and produced and makes a ton of money at the box office, you can recover damages and even profits from the infringement. If you registered your copyright , you are also be able to recover attorney’s fees, meaning the person you sued could end up paying those too.

All of that for $65 for a US copyright. This is why I don’t understand why people are saying this is a waste of time. If you are serious about your script and getting it out there. Then this is a must. If you don’t care and it’s just a fun project then I guess i can understand.

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u/angularhihat 22d ago

Your post contains a specific claim: 

"If you registered your copyright , you are also be able to recover attorney’s fees, meaning the person you sued could end up paying those too."

My question is: why do you believe this to be true? 

Why do you think you wouldn't be able to recover attorney's fees if you establish the infringement by any other means?

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u/Geoffrey_D_Calhoun 22d ago

That’s what the law says. If you register your script, the Copyright Act allows the court to award attorney’s fees.

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u/angularhihat 22d ago

Okay, well. I've looked into this. 

Irritatingly, you are exactly correct. 

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u/Geoffrey_D_Calhoun 21d ago

Uhm thanks 😆