Non US citizen wants to register script

ALLWritety · Feb 7, 2007

Hi,
My name is Kevin and I am new to the group. I actually join a couple of weeks ago but have been looking over the archives. Yep some of the newbies do read those old threads!!!

Anyway I saw a lot of info but none really answered my question as far as I read. SO I am posting a new thread.

Here is the low down:
I sent in my synopsis and the company replied back at once. I was shocked I expected at least a week or two! Anyway he asked me to send in my script. I was impressed. However I have not wrote it. I am frantically writing it now. Once it is done I want to registar it. SO finally my questions:

1) After looking throught the old threads it seems to me that copyright is the best option. Do they have a web site?

2) I am a Brit living in Taiwan. Would this affect my registration? (I saw on another screenwritng site: a man ranting about how is idea was stolen because he didn't live in the US and thus couldn't register his <a href="http://mandy.com/1/?go=work">work</a> with WGA.) DO I have to live in the US to register my <a href="http://mandy.com/1/?go=work">work</a> with WGA or Copyright?

So dudes & dudettes what say you?

This web site "ROCKS" by the way.
Thanks
Kev.

alleycat · Feb 7, 2007

You might be able to answer your questions at the Writers Guild website: http://www.wgawregistry.org/webrss/

Or do a search here at AW for Writers Guild. I'm sure there's more than one question that has been asked about registration.

The main thing . . . get to writing! ;-)

xhouseboy · Feb 7, 2007

the answer to your question is: no, you do not have to live in the US to register your script for copyright protection. There are several recognised organisations in the US, including the WGA, that will do this for you, and it can all be taken care of electronically.

ETA: They all have websites. Google 'Writesafe', and from there you should get a few links to several more organisations.

ALLWritety · Feb 7, 2007

Thanks

Hey Thanks for the answers and any more that reply to this!!

I need to get back to writing that script. I'll let ya all know how it turns out!!
Kev

dpaterso · Feb 7, 2007

Just asking, did you mention where the company is? The USA? Going by what was said in previous discussions, WGA registration is only of use to WGA members. Only Library of Congress offers actual copyright protection that would hold up in court. That's what was said anyway. Check out previous threads on this subject (I used the "Search this forum" option, clicked on "Advanced" and searched on keyword "registration" in the thread title field to find these):

Copyright / registration questions (repost)
registration

The "repost" thread is a compilation of messages, if you wonder at the odd format; the original thread got lost during a system blip.

Oh, I meant to say... you've been caught in the trap which spec writers are warned never to do: query a script before it's written.

-Derek

Hillgate · Feb 7, 2007

Hi - and well done for getting interest in your idea! You can register your script online at www.wgaw.org without being a member of the WGA.

If you want US Copyright protection, you need to send your finished script to Library of Congress in the US and pay US$45 with a US cheque drawn on a US bank, otherwise they will reject it. A banker's draft will also do. It can take up to 6 months to have your copyright registration number, but it just helps with proof. You are protected to some extent by WGAw registration.

ALLWritety · Feb 7, 2007

how to?

So how do I go about getting a check from a US bank if I live in Taiwan? ANy ideas?

As for getting in the trap of not having my script written, well It's all good fun eh!? The good thing is that I know exactly where my script is going and hopefully have the 1st draft ready real sooooooon!

Kev

Celia Cyanide · Feb 7, 2007

welcome to AW!

ALLWritety · Feb 7, 2007

location? Not sure?

Soz I didn't answer your Q. I am not totally sure the location of the Co. is as it gives 2 addresses, One in US and one in Scotland? The CO. is "Parker Entertainment". I am going to do a search to see there is any ifno on them here!
Kev

ALLWritety · Feb 7, 2007

Does any one know anything about Calvin Wynter - Parker Entertainment.
All I can find out is that he is an actor and does the Edinburgh Festival. From what I can see the main office is in NY.
Kev

Hillgate · Feb 8, 2007

KCpotatohead said:
So how do I go about getting a check from a US bank if I live in Taiwan? ANy ideas?

As for getting in the trap of not having my script written, well It's all good fun eh!? The good thing is that I know exactly where my script is going and hopefully have the 1st draft ready real sooooooon!

Kev

Ask your bank to get you a banker's draft for US$45 drawn on a US bank such as Bank of New York. They will be able to do this but will charge you a fee, probably the equivalent of US$20 (I know, it's a lot for a US$45 draft). No need to do it right now though - and it takes so long to come through...people like it in place prior to the film being shot, for obvious reasons: for now your US$20 at WGAw (payable by credit card) will be more than enough.

Non US citizen wants to register script

ALLWritety

One Step closer, I hope!

alleycat

Still around

xhouseboy

In the Yellow Woods

ALLWritety

One Step closer, I hope!

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

Hillgate

On location

ALLWritety

One Step closer, I hope!

Celia Cyanide

Joker Groupie

ALLWritety

One Step closer, I hope!

ALLWritety

One Step closer, I hope!

Hillgate

On location