How to copyright your script

Annika Wood sends in this helpful note:

Though I’ve been writing scripts for over three years now, registering one with the US Copyright office has seemed about as appealing as a dental appointment. Even after I found out that WGAw registration doesn’t provide real legal protection (you have done a few great posts on this) I did some serious copyright heel dragging. This morning, I jumped on the website: http://www.copyright.gov and registered my most recent script. It’s the first one of mine I consider makeable and marketable — though the others make nice paperweights! Since people I don’t know very well are asking to read it, I knew I had to get official with this one. And it was easy. More time consuming than WGAw registration, sure, but that’s because it’s a much more serious and thorough process, which is a GOOD thing. Plus, the site is well-designed. Just going through the steps taught me a few new things about copyright law. I’m now a registered user with all my information on file, which means keeping track of future cases (each thing you register is a “case”) will be a snap since the site stores all your information and associated case information on a master page tied to your username. I encourage everyone out there to lose their Copyright virginity. Trust me. It’s easy and you’ll feel that much more like a professional writer once you’re done.

There is no reason to register your script with the WGA. Copyright is the way to go. Here are three posts I’ve written on the subject: here, here, and here.

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