How do I put a copyright on my screenplay?

Question

I've written a couple of screenplays that I would like to put copyrights on, how do I go about doing this?

Answer 1

I hope you've got enough common sense to do a search on yahoo for 'copyrights' and then just go to the official site with all the info you need. If not, then there's not much help for ya...lol! It does cost. Used to be 25 bucks then went to 75 bucks. I have no idea of the price now.
If you want a quick/cheap way to temporarily protect yourself, you can do the following, which would stand up in any court: Take a dated copy of your screenplay and put it in an envelope and mail it to yourself. When it arrives in the mail, DO NOT OPEN IT. Now, if anyone steals your screenplay, you can take them to court. The judge will open your letter which will be postmarked with the date you mailed it, proving that you wrote it first. This works with songs, poems, anything written that should be copywrited. You can do this and meanwhile, if someone is interested in your script, then you can pay to have it copywrited. But always save that original letter you mailed to yourself because with that postmark, it's your best defence against a thief. :-)

Answer 2

Firstly, there is absolutely NO legal basis that mailing something to yourself makes it copyrighted. (known as the "poor man's copyright") What's to stop you from sending yourself an unseal envelope and adding material later? Same thing with websites that claim to copyright your material. The only place in the US to obtain a copyright is the US Copyright Office. Now, it is absolutely unnecessary to copyright your work before submitting it for publication (or in this case production.) It's covered the minute you wrote it. I don't know much about screenplays but in book publication copyrighting your material before you send it to publishers or agents makes you look unprofessional. It says either "I don't know anything about how this works" or "I think you will steal my work!" Neither statement will make good publishers or agents want to work with you. And they will let unscrupulous publishers/agents know it will be fairly easy to take advantage of you. I would imagine it's somewhat similar with screenplays and film studios. Either way, don't mail it to yourself, it's a waste of time and proves nothing. If you truly feel you have to copyright it, do it through the US Copyright Office.

Answer 3

there are two ways to do this.One,make copies of the projects you are really excited about and then send them to yourself,don"t open them but keep in a safe place. The other way is to get in touch with the department of copyrights in Washingto,D.C and they will sent you the forms you'll need.It will cost about 75.00 to do. The poormans copyright is just as good.All mail we receive is dated and the date is the proof that it is yours.Make sure that your name appears twice on the enevolope, address and return add.

Answer 4

If you write something, it is immediately copyrighted whether you register it officially or not. It's new law. You can register your script with the WGA if you want, however. Bottom line is you need proof that someone read your script and stole it if you want to win in court. Keep a paper trail!

Answer 5

Well you see, you go to a Burger King and tell the guy at the drive thru you want a "407" , he will tell you where to go from there, you will drive down the street about 2 miles and you will come to a man named Bob, he will ask you for a password which is "Banana Split", he will then lead you down a narrow ally where you will find an old lady in a purple raincoat. She will answer your question.

Answer 6

"Darkeyes" is correct. I've used the mail it to myself process in the past.

Answer 7

Do you have windows movie maker???