How can a I get a copyright for a script or other piece of writing?

Question

I will be posting various writings on a website and other places and I need to make sure they are not stolen or used elsewhere. Do I get a copyright or something else? And how exactly and where do you go about getting that? Thank you so much for your help.

Answer 1

You can do this at the US Copyright Office – see the last 2 links in the source box. The application is fairly simple & the cost is $45 per application.

Despite what others state, a "poor man's" copyright is NOT the same as registering it. Here's what the US Copyright Office has to say:

"The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a 'poor man’s copyright.' There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration."

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

You don't need to do anything to get a copyright. You have a copyright by virtue of having written it.

You can register your copyright with the US Copyright Office, which creates a presumption that the work is yours, shows a date, and provides certain kinds of damages.

Of course, anyone can still steal the work, it's just about your rights to sue them when they do.

Answer 3

The U.S. copyright website is easy to use and has all of the info you need.

For written material you need a copyright. The following are websites for the United States Copyright Office:
Lots of information - read as much as you can on the website.

copyright.gov
the minute you write something, it is protected by the United States Copyright law.
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html

http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#hsc

Answer 4

type generally refers to initiatives that start up off as something else. many times that is while a e book is customized for the show screen. it could additionally propose a play that is customized for the show screen. in case you write a action picture script based on yet another action picture script, that's the two a ripoff, a sequel or a prequel. Characters are in certainty "owned" by ability of the two the author or the studio--counting on how they made their agreements. Harry Potter is owned by ability of JK Rowling, Captain Jack Sparrow is owned by ability of Disney. Jay and Silent Bob are owned by ability of Kevin Smith. So there are a number of themes with copyright infringement. in case you attempt to make your action picture, no person is going to purchase it. while you're purely writing a script for exciting--perhaps you will action picture it consisting of your individuals, it would purely be seen an "homage" or a "fan action picture."

Answer 5

Here is a website that should be very helpful in order to answer your question. http://www.writing-world.com/rights/copyright.shtml

Answer 6

http://www.wgawregistry.org/webrss/

While you don't need to register anything, sometimes it helps to have proof.