Protect Line Transcript For Free

As a screenwriter writing an original spec script ? a screenplay written under speculation that you will sell it to someone ? the moment you write the script is the moment that you own that copyright of it, which includes all exclusive ownership rights mentioned above.

Before you start shopping your new script around, it's a good idea to register your copyright through the U.S. Copyright Office (USCO). Taking this extra step allows you to officially protect your script from theft, plagiarism, or other forms of infringement.

Copyright law can protect not only your script, but also your treatments and characters. Copyrighting your scripts before pitching or sharing them with third parties is critical.

There are two main ways that you can protect your screenplay from theft ? using the Writer's Guild of America's (WGA) registration service or sending it to the Library of Congress for a copyright. I used to send all my scripts to the WGA. It doesn't cost too much and it's very easy.

To register your screenplay for copyright or any work of art you'll need to start on the Electronic Copyright Office's website. The website guides you to enter your name, contact information, and other details such as your user ID and password. Once you set up your account, you can copyright a screenplay online.

Copyright protects most types of written works, also known as literary works. This video discusses what literary works copyright protects, what it means to be a copyright holder, and how you can register your literary works with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Before you start shopping your new script around, it's a good idea to register your copyright through the U.S. Copyright Office (USCO). Taking this extra step allows you to officially protect your script from theft, plagiarism, or other forms of infringement.

Remember, copyright protects the expression of an idea, not the idea itself. So, a script or screenplay, as a detailed expression of an idea, is copyrightable.