as a new screenwriter how can i protect my work? (scripts etc...)?

Answer 1

take 2-3 clean copies of the finished work and seal them individually in self addressed envelopes. take them to the post office and have them do the postage and ask them to stamp the flaps with a postal date/location stamp. then mail them to yourself. when you get them back in the mail, put them away somewhere safe. it is the cheapest, yet most effective way to establish a date/time for your work so that if anyone that tries to steal it later, you have proof of when the originals were created. (don't ever open them or mess with them after you get them back in the mail - if you have to sue someone, let the court open them as part of your evidence)

this is often a problem when shopping a script around, there are a lot of thieves who would love to steal your work.

Answer 2

In 1978 the federal law that governs copyrights stated that when an idea or play or manuscript or any other writings are recorded then the ownership begins right then and there.. look up the federal copyright law and follow the procedure to attain the legal copyrights.. it is quick and easy.. and it is the only way to do it properly..

Answer 3

Register it with the Screenwriters Guild. I believe there is a fee involved.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Work is copyrighted from the moment you you write it.

Don't distribute it to everyone on the planet!

Keep it in a file until you are ready to sell or produce it.

Go to: copyright.gov
for more information

Answer 5

Go to the library of Congress website, choose "copyright", then fill the TX form.

Whoever recommended the "poor man's copyright" of mailing it to yourself is full of crap. It doesn't hold up in court if someone steals your work.

Answer 6

Get copywrights for all your work as soon as possible.

Answer 7

I guess you could try getting it copy written.