As a practicing lawyer in the field of intellectual property I’m often asked when copyright notice is important and how copyright notice can help protect a work. In general placing a copyright notice on certain works can be very valuable.
Drafting a copyright notice for a screenplay is no different than drafting any other standard copyright notice except that a copyright notice for a screen play is generally placed in a specific location where industry professionals will know where to look for it. Although US copyright law no longer requires that you display a copyright notice, it is still a good idea as it will inform your readers of certain important information and put them on notice that you intend to protect your screenplay.
Copyright your work with the US copyright office. It is not required that you actually file for copyright registration in order to place notice on your work, but registration is recommended as it will provide you with several options should your work be infringed.
Draft a copyright notice for your screenplay. The notice should have three key components. The copyright symbol, ©, or the word copyright, the year of publication and your name. If you have written the screenplay for someone else as their employee, you should place their name or the name of the organization in the copyright notice instead of your own name. If you will be marketing your screenplay outside of the US, you should also place the phrase, “all rights reserved” after your copyright notice. An example of a completed copyright notice might read, “© 1974, Susan Screenwriter.”
Place your copyright notice on the bottom of your screenplay’s title page. It should appear prominently in normal or large type font. You may place your copyright notice at the bottom of every page of your screenplay for extra protection, but this is not necessary.
Further Considerations
Copyright protection is granted through the act of creating the copyrighted work or screenplay. However, you will need to register your work in order to realize the full benefits of copyright law. In addition to registering with the copyright office, you may also register your screenplay with the Writers Guild of America. Registration with the Writers Guild of America acts as notice of publication in addition to copyright notice.
In order to be eligible for a copyright your work must be entirely original. If you’ve borrowed elements of your screenplay from other works, it may not be eligible for copyright protection.
Sources:
- Movie Staff: Copyright Your Screenplay
[ http://www.moviestaff.com/screenwriters/copyright_screenplay.htm ] - Absolute Write: Protecting Your Screenplay
[ http://www.absolutewrite.com/screenwriting/protecting.htm ] - Plagiarism Today: How to Write a Copyright Notice
[ http://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2011/11/08/how-to-write-a-copyright-notice/ ] - Website Copyright: Fair Use
[ http://www.benedict.com/Info/Law/Notice.aspx ] - US Copyright Office: Copyright Notice
[ http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ03.pdf ] - The Brass Brad: Proper Industry Format
[ http://www.brassbrad.com/format.htm ]
