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FAQ's

I’m concerned that someone might poach my idea. How do I go about copyrighting my script?

Firstly, don’t be too paranoid. Real examples of major rip-offs are fairly few and far between. The zeitgeist is far more likely to be responsible for the fact that another script bears a resemblance to your own rather than industrial espionage. Most importantly, don’t allow the terror of someone stealing your idea to prevent you from sending your script out as (i) you’ll receive absolutely none of the feedback that your script requires and (ii) your film will never be made.
 
Many writers will sleep easier at night in the knowledge that their script is 100% safe and copyrighted. Sealing your script in an envelope and posting it to yourself is probably not the most effective method of script protection (surely you’ve seen one of those films where someone steams open a sealed envelope with the aid of a kettle?). You could, of course, send the sealed script to a friendly solicitor who may lock it up in their safe for a small charge. But the most efficient method is script registration with an acknowledged body. The Script Factory recommends the Raindance Script Registration Scheme where you can register your project for 2 years for £20 – see Registration
 
Do note that Script Registration services are not actual 'copyrighting' services. You automatically own the copyright to anything you have written and you can choose who gets to use it. Registration services are simply a convenient method of proving that you wrote your work and when you did it. In other words, we as a third party will keep safe a sealed copy of your screenplay - if you then had to assert your authorship, the sealed and registered version of your script is a good place to start.
 

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