Question about "poor mans copyright".Can anyone help ?

[Nigel]

Whilst members of the Writers Guild will try to tell you that they are some sort of Copyright Agent. THEY ARE NOT.

In the USA the only way to have a fully recognized copyright is to use the Copyright Office. The WGA is just like sending something in the post. It will show that you had an idea on a date but it is not a full copyright and offers no copyright protection.

Get a Copyright first then send your script to the WGA or other group that will hold the script.

Good Luck

[Nigel]

Read their FAQ. They very carefully side-step the whole word "Copyright" because they offer nothing in the way of legal protection. No good standing member of the WGA will tell you that they offer anysort of legal protection...Because they don't.

Use your Copyright Office!!!!

Here is what they say:
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Does registration take the place of copyright?

Registering your work with the WGAw Registry does not take the place of registering with the Library of Congress, U.S. Copyright Office. However, both create valid legal evidence that can be used in court.

Questions regarding copyright should be directed to the U.S. Copyright Office in Washington, D.C. at (202) 707-3000 or to an attorney specializing in that area of law. Click on www.loc.gov for more information.
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Yes, it can be used as evidence then again so can the unopened copy you mailed to yourself....The WGA is a scam when it comes to its registry.

Good Luck

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 26, 2006 02:32 AM: Message edited by: Nigel ]</font>