How do I protect my copyright after university?

Question

Im in a type of film school. I want to submit a sitcom for my project. but im worried that if I choose to take my sitcom to a cabel or telivision company, some one could abuse the right that a university has to your work. as in buy the rights from them or simply just profit off off the sitcom with out my concent.

Perhaps I might be able to buy the full rights of the show from the university but then its like im paying for my own property. plus it could be expensive.

Sort of reminds me of the film 'my first 20 million' where a similar thing happens.

thanks for all your answers so far.

Answer 1

There is no presumption that the university owns rights to your work here. If you were working for the university, or even doing unpaid research for the university (as graduate students do), then the university will usually have rights to what you create.

In this case, you aren't doing the work for the university's benefit or under the university's auspices - it is for your own benefit/edification. They would probably be unsucessful in challenging you for rights. (It's unlikely they would even seek rights for a sitcom.)

Finally, you should write "copyright 2007 _____" and your name on the work before you turn it in. You should also document that you created this work before this assignment started and before you turn it in. Have somebody sign and date a copy showing that you created the work before the assignment was given.

But it is unlikely that you will get an official from the university to sign a document relinquishing rights. It's worth a shot.

Answer 2

Without knowing your schools policy on submitted material it's difficult to answer this. Generally I would think they would have no license to the material but read whatever they present to you very carefully. Look for key words like:

• You grant ---, a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, transferable, non-exclusive right and license to use, copy, modify, delete in its entirety, adapt, publish, translate, display, create derivative works from and/or sell and/or distribute content submitted to ---

This is about as intrusive as a submission agreement can get. If you really think you're on to something with the concept and you are faced with an agreement that says anything other than you license the school to show your work to people, and that they will provide a list of everyone they show it to, And that you retain full copyright... I'd consider submitting something else entirely and slipping your ace back up your sleeve.

Answer 3

Well, first the work itself has to be original. What I mean by that is that you must have put some creativity in coming up with the work. Once that's done, you're work is automatically granted copyright protection. All you have to do is basically write on the work or indicate somehow that it's copyright protected. if you want to be more secure, file a copyright registration here http://www.copyright.gov/register/. It's not needed but I'd do it if I were you. All this does is it puts the public on notice that you're work is copyrighted

Answer 4

Working out an agreement in advance (and in writing) with the university is the best and simplest solution.

It can be as basic as saying that you do not surrender your rights as author of work by submitting it to the class. Get that signed by the head the university.

For more specific advice, consult a licensed attorney.