People often tell me that they find the procedure for registering scripts with the Copyright Office to be confusing. I certainly agree that the procedure is not as straightforward as it could be. But to make it alleviate this confusion, this post will explain, with screen grabs from each step of the procedure, how to register your script.
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That’s it. See, it’s not so hard. This example will work for most script copyright registrations. However, pay attention. You may have some answers that are different. If so, it shouldn’t be so hard that you can’t figure out the changes to make.
If you are having trouble viewing the page, you can download the slides as a PowerPoint here. How to Register a Script with the Copyright Office
Can you tell me what the proper outline is for indicating that your script (screenplay) has a copyright? Where does it go on the title page of the script? Does it follow or precede the year it was registered? Does it accompany the writer’s name or writer’s company (if applicable)?
Please advise.
Thank you kindly
All scripts are protected by copyright, whether or not they are registered. The registration gives the writer legal advantages in court. Assuming that the copyright owners are the writers, and the writers names are on the script, then I would just put “Copyright 2011″ or “© 2011″ under the contact information. But even without a copyright notice you are fully protected if you are registered. I would also recommend the book “The Hollywood Standard” for questions about proper industry script format.
If your script has been published online as part of a contest and is accessible to anyone who registers at the Web site, does that qualify as a “Yes” answer to “Has this work been published?”
I would say no. Just making them available for viewing on line does not usually constitute publishing.
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