Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
How Can Writers Protect Their Scripts?
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: February 3, 2014
Key Contacts
Back
On any given day, there are probably hundreds – if not thousands – of TV and movie scripts floating around Hollywood and just a select few get picked up and green-lighted for production.
Sharing scripts with so many people could put them at risk of being leaked – just ask Quentin Tarantino, who recently sued Gawker for leaking a script to his film “The Hateful Eight.”
Protecting One’s Script
Fortunately, there are steps writers can take to protect their scripts that make it possible to pursue legal action if someone improperly uses the work:
– Intellectual property registration: As soon as a motion picture of TV script is produced, it is automatically copywritten if the author’s name, date and the word ‘copyright’ is placed on the document. However, this doesn’t necessarily protect the script in the case of litigation, so further steps may need to be taken.
– Protection through the U.S. Copyright Office: An additional step that can be taken by screenwriter is to file for protection through the U.S. Copyright Office, which can issue a formal copyright. This type of protection is needed before anyone can bring a lawsuit against someone for copyright infringement. The process can take up to six months, so it is best to get the wheels in motion early on.
– Protection through Hollywood Script Express: Screenwriters who don’t want to wait the six months for the U.S. Copyright Office can use the registration service of the Hollywood Script Express. This creates a digital timestamp of a script, and the organization will provide documented evidence of registered work if needed during litigation.
- Industries: Entertainment & Media
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
When a Child Turns 18: The Gap in Your Family’s Estate Plan
Once a child turns 18, parents lose the automatic legal authority to make medical and financial decisions on their behalf, even if the child still lives at home or remains on the family’s insurance. Three documents close that gap: a durable power of attorney, a health care proxy or directive, and a HIPAA authorization. For […]
Author: George McGowan
Business Mediation: An Overview and Practical Tips
Business mediation is a confidential, voluntary process in which a neutral third party helps companies negotiate a resolution to a commercial dispute without going to trial. Because working with a mediator is very different from litigating in the courtroom, it is important to understand how commercial mediation works, when it makes sense for your dispute, […]
Author: Paul Grossman
Top 5 Causes Leading to Construction Defect Litigation
The five most common causes of construction defect litigation are design defects, substandard materials, workmanship defects, code violations, and subsurface defects. Because these flaws can compromise a building’s integrity, functionality, or safety, they frequently lead to disputes involving multiple parties and high financial stakes. Key takeaways: What is Construction Defect Litigation? Construction litigation is complex, […]
Author: Paul Grossman
How to Protect Your New Jersey Business When Going through a Divorce
The most effective ways to protect your business in a divorce are put in place before one begins: a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, clean separation of business and personal finances, and divorce contingencies built into your operating or buy-sell agreements. If divorce is already underway, the priorities shift to establishing how the business is classified […]
Author: Jay McDaniel
10 Common Issues in Franchise Disputes
The most common franchise disputes involve breach of contract, franchise termination and non-renewal, intellectual property rights, territorial encroachment, royalty and fee payments, franchisor support obligations, and violations of state franchise laws such as the New Jersey Franchise Practices Act. Franchisors and franchisees can often resolve these conflicts by providing written notice detailing the dispute and […]
Author: Paul Grossman
Reputational Risk and Legal Exposure: Why New Jersey Businesses Must Manage Them Together
New Jersey businesses must manage legal and reputational risk together because modern disputes play out on two fronts at once: the legal proceeding itself and the court of public opinion, where customers, employees, investors, and business partners often reach conclusions long before a judge or jury has had the opportunity to evaluate the facts. Success […]
Author: Sean M. Pena
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.