As an advocate for writers, authors and artists of all types, I sometimes find it disconcerting that there isn’t more widely known information surrounding intellectual property law and how they can affect amateur and independent creatives (like myself). So I’ve put together this little article about issues of copyright law that could help some similar minded people out there.
Introduction
It can be very frustrating if you hear a song or script you wrote being used over the radio to advertise a product yet you did not authorize it. It can be more frustrating when you try getting your pay and you are told that you did not copyright it so the multi-million company is doing you a favor giving free publicity. This can also discourage you from writing any more scripts. Stealing someone’s copyright is a very serious offense. People invest a lot of time, emotions, energy, and money to write scripts. Although the law provides that if you write an outline of a fully developed unique story or a completed script then you can copyright it. Its is important to ensure that you have a public record that you authored a given story or script. The copyright registrations fees for amateur and independent authors will vary depending on the aspects discussed below will vary depending on the aspects discussed below.
The Number Of Authors In Your Application
It’s true that you can write a story as an individual or in a group where you brainstorm together to get ideas and the plot that best fits your target group. You will pay $35 if the work has a single author who is also the script owner. In addition, the copyright registration fee should not only be for a single work but also one that is not meant for hire. If you have a collection of photos, the fee is different. If you want to sell each photo independently, then you will have to pay $35 for each of them. You can also register all the photos as a group and just pay $35.
The Amount Of Time You Are Willing To Wait
The standard waiting time (when using the Copyright Office guild ) after you file your registration and pay is three to four months, but if you are in a hurry to sue someone or another reason best known to you, you can get it in one week. This will attract an additional fee of about $700.
The Application Procedure You Intend To Use
You can carry out the copyright registration procedure yourself or hire the services of an intellectual property lawyer. Where you are doing it yourself, the charges will range between $35 and $55. In case you are hiring a lawyer, then expect the price to range between $250 and $500. Though the process isn’t complex, you are likely to encounter some difficult questions that will need research. If you have not done the registration before and you want to avoid doing it wrong and having to file several other corrected forms or a possibility of having great trouble when enforcing the copyright, just use a lawyer. If you decide to use a lawyer, contact several of them and get details about the expected costs before making your choice.
The Screenwriting Guild You Will Use (If Any)
You can use the Writers Guild of America or Copyright Office guild. In the former, there is the Writers Guild of America East (WGAeast) that is located in New York and the Writers Guild of America West (WGAwest) located in Los Angeles. If you are a WGA member, then you will pay $10. I you are a not a member, then you will pay $20 if you use the west branch and $22 I you use the east branch. The price for the Copyright Office is the one discussed above under the do it yourself ($35-$55).
Conclusion
Whether what you have is an article, a book, photo, musical composition, dance, sculpture or any other creative work, registering a copyright on it is to your advantage. People will not only take you serious but you can easily enforce your copyright when need arises. Enjoy the fruits of your creativity with peace by ensuring you register a copyright on all the work that you complete.