Copyright Movie Ideas and Scripts?

Question

I am aware that a movie can be made about a true story or based on actual events and one cannot copyright the story. I am writing two scripts as of now and am aware of how difficult it is to get them made into movies. How and what legal processes do I need to do in order to make sure no one plagiarises (steals) my script ideas etc. What things need to be done to make sure no one else can use your script?

Answer 1

are you a member of the writers guild? they have chapters for the east coast and the west coast (in the U.S.). once you're a member, anything you write becomes your intellectual property -- no one can plagiarize or steal your content. one of the guild's most important roles is to monitor the integrity of completed scripts and screenplays by resolving any issues that arise from competing authors. simply include a disclaimer with your hard copy script when submitting it for review (e.g. (c) YOUR NAME; all content herein is the exclusive copyrighted property of the author. No reprints or repurpose allowed without the author's expressed written consent.)

Answer 2

first you must know that you can't create a script based on someone else's life without their written permission. the way you can get around this is don't say it was based or inspired by true events. (unless something historic that's public domain.)

anyone can steal your script idea. ever wonder how hollywood can make "Deep Impact" and "Armageddon" at the same time? a comet about to hit earth... this was inspired by an LA Times news story.

the person above is correct - having your script copyrighted is a step in the right direction. For about $35, the WGA will take your script and store it in a vault. If anyone ever produces a film much like yours, you can use your registered script as evidence that you came up with the work first. But it has to match very, very closely.

When studios choose to steal someone's work (which is extremely rare) - they will change all the names, change the location, and change character traits and even some subplots to make it original enough to avoid a lawsuit. But, this is really, the only kind of protection you can expect for your efforts. Library of Congress does the same as WGA.

I would not worry about anyone stealing your ideas. Hollywood get tons of scripts, treatments and story ideas everyday. Concepts are a dime a dozen. Making the characters interesting, sympathetic and fully fleshed out is what makes one script/movie better than the other.
You can't protect your story ideas, you can only protect your fictional characters. Writing a story about a suicidal cop who gets transferred to work with an old-timer about to retire, can't be legally protected. But the story of Martin Riggs who loves his job but takes crazy risks since losing his wife - who partners with Roger Murtaugh, a former Vietnam vet with a docile family - who investigate the murder of a Hollywood call girl - who happens to be the daughter of a war buddy.... well you get the idea - THAT copyrightable. the copyright is in the details.

if you don't want anybody to use your script, then why are you writing it? When you're ready to shop your script, your agent will go long way to making sure you don't get ripped off. Until then, show it to anyone who will read it. The more input you get, the better you can make the script.

hope this helps.

Answer 3

You can't copyright an idea. You can copyright a script, or a screenplay, or a pilot that you produce. Only works are protected by intellectual property laws, not ideas for works. For example, you can't patent the idea of time travel. You actually have to have a working process for traveling through time to get a patent. EDIT: Do you have enough time to make a short story out of it? You could copyright that, and anything made on the basis of it would be considered a derivitative work. All I am saying is that you actually have to write SOMETHING down. And idea is not good enough.

Answer 4

Hi!

The other folks are getting close to answering the real substance of your question.

The answer is that an "idea" is not eligible for copyright. So the story of a boy from one family falling in love with a girl from another family where the two families are feuding ... should probably sound familiar.

If you know Shakespeare, you know the story as "Romeo and Juliet"... written in 1597. If you know musicals, you know the story as "West Side Story", written in the 1957 (spooky that the year digits are just transposed between the two).

But the point is that the CONCEPT can be used and reused... so long as the expression of the story itself is unique and not copied.

So... in practice, you CAN make a movie based on someone else's life and/or actual events, without their permission ... and without violating copyright. The issue that most folks run into is not one with regards to copyright, but more so one regarding detail and information. People want a connection to the real players so that they have intimate details - something to make the story able to be advertised as the "official" story... and so that they can avoid the possibility that they'll be sued for defamation (what if, for example, you produce a movie about OJ Simpson killing his wife, but it turns out that OJ really didn't kill her... you don't want OJ to sue you). not just one like a "Law and Order" episode that's "purely coincidental".

So that's the real reason folks want permission.

As for protecting your work, well, some of the other folks got that part right... register your work with the US Copyright Office (it'll cost you $45/work and 2 "best copies" of each work) as well as with the WPA.

Good luck!

Answer 5

You can not copyright an idea. A script or any other form of writing, etc only becomes your copyright when you have published it. This can be as simple as showing the piece to a friend or a publisher (before it is reproduced and distributed). The answer is you can't stop another person using your idea so keep it close to your chest and don't talk about it.

Answer 6

You need to, at the very least, register it with the WGA (east or west, depending on your location)

You might also want to send on to the Library of Congress for copyright registration there