Formal copyright procedures at DVinfo.net

Josh Bass · November 30th, 2002, 01:43 AM

What exactly does one do to formally get one's stuff copyrighted? I know it has something to do with the Library of Congress, but beyond that I'm ignorant. If I have a movie, with original music composed by moi, does it all go together? How does all this work? Addresses? Fees?

John Locke · November 30th, 2002, 02:09 AM

Josh,

Stop by http://www.copyright.gov/ and download the form(s) you need. Registrations for films fall under "Performing Arts"...the details for that is at http://www.copyright.gov/register/performing.html.

Another way (I'm not sure which way is best) is to register online with the Writer's Guild of America. You'll find the online form at http://www.wga.org/registration/register-online.html.

The info page at WGA says

Quote:

If I’ve already registered my material with the U.S. Copyright Office in Washington, do I need to register it with the Guild?

Even if you have copyright through the Library of Congress, registering with the Intellectual Property Registry creates a separate legal record for your material. In addition, you may consider registering treatments or drafts of your work-in-progress with our Registry, prior to registering your final draft with the Copyright Office.

Richard Alvarez · November 30th, 2002, 08:58 AM

Good Info John,

I might add that registering with the WGA is fast, easy, cheap...

And temporary.

It will expire after five years, and it is NOT "the same" as a copyright. It does not provide the same legal benefits or protections. But it is handy, and I use it myself.

In addition to a copyright.

Paul Tauger · November 30th, 2002, 09:31 AM

Quote:

What exactly does one do to formally get one's stuff copyrighted?

Your work is protected by copyright the moment you shoot it. Since 1978, when the Copyright Act was amended, works of authorship (which would include virtually all video) are protected upon fixation in a tangible medium, i.e. recorded on tape (whether digital or analog), stored on a hard drive, burned to a DVD, etc. No formalities are required, meaning that there is no longer a notice requirement -- you don't have to include a "C" in a circle, the date or the copyright owner.

You seem to be asking about registration. Registration of a copyright is a prerequisite to bringing an action for infringement (unless the infringed work in question is a Berne Convention work created outside of the US). However, registration is a good thing to do because of a number of legal presumptions which apply, including a presumption of validity and ownership. It also creates prima facie proof date of creation, and entitles the copyright owner to collect elevated statutory damages in the event of infringement.

As someone else indicated, the form can be downloaded from the U.S. Copyright Office website, and is short and simple to fill out. The registration fee is nominal. You will have to provide a deposit copy.

Josh Bass · November 30th, 2002, 05:14 PM

Thanks guys. I will keep all this in mind. Right now it's nap time.

Kirk Messner · December 3rd, 2002, 07:27 AM

I'm a bit late here, but I'd be interested to know how the copyright office goes about checking original submissions. How do they tell if a work has been submitted before? If I take and Ozzy tune and resample it, or string together some clips from the Terminator, then submit it, how can they possibly tell if it's an original work or not? I'm not planning on doing this. It just seems with the millions of audio and video works out there, it would be impossible to check if a submission is original or not.

Paul Tauger · December 3rd, 2002, 09:01 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Kirk Messner : I'm a bit late here, but I'd be interested to know how the copyright office goes about checking original submissions. How do they tell if a work has been submitted before? If I take and Ozzy tune and resample it, or string together some clips from the Terminator, then submit it, how can they possibly tell if it's an original work or not? I'm not planning on doing this. It just seems with the millions of audio and video works out there, it would be impossible to check if a submission is original or not. -->>>

The Copyright Office does not examine submissions for originality -- only that the application form is completely filled out and a deposit copy has been provided.

Jeff Donald · December 3rd, 2002, 09:32 AM

The courts would decide any validity to a copyright infringement.

Jeff

Aaron Rosen · May 26th, 2003, 02:54 AM

Anyone know if you can do an ONLINE registration?

Jeff Donald · May 26th, 2003, 05:30 AM

To the best of my knowledge you can't.

Aaron Rosen · May 26th, 2003, 06:00 AM

Bummer - Thank You for the reply.

November 30th, 2002, 01:43 AM	#1
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Formal copyright procedures What exactly does one do to formally get one's stuff copyrighted? I know it has something to do with the Library of Congress, but beyond that I'm ignorant. If I have a movie, with original music composed by moi, does it all go together? How does all this work? Addresses? Fees? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

November 30th, 2002, 05:14 PM	#5
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Thanks guys. I will keep all this in mind. Right now it's nap time. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

May 26th, 2003, 05:30 AM	#10
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	To the best of my knowledge you can't. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 30th, 2002, 08:58 AM	#3
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Good Info John, I might add that registering with the WGA is fast, easy, cheap... And temporary. It will expire after five years, and it is NOT "the same" as a copyright. It does not provide the same legal benefits or protections. But it is handy, and I use it myself. In addition to a copyright.

December 3rd, 2002, 07:27 AM	#6
Kirk Messner Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fowlerville, MI Posts: 51	I'm a bit late here, but I'd be interested to know how the copyright office goes about checking original submissions. How do they tell if a work has been submitted before? If I take and Ozzy tune and resample it, or string together some clips from the Terminator, then submit it, how can they possibly tell if it's an original work or not? I'm not planning on doing this. It just seems with the millions of audio and video works out there, it would be impossible to check if a submission is original or not.

December 3rd, 2002, 09:01 AM	#7
Paul Tauger Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles (recently from San Francisco) Posts: 954	<<<-- Originally posted by Kirk Messner : I'm a bit late here, but I'd be interested to know how the copyright office goes about checking original submissions. How do they tell if a work has been submitted before? If I take and Ozzy tune and resample it, or string together some clips from the Terminator, then submit it, how can they possibly tell if it's an original work or not? I'm not planning on doing this. It just seems with the millions of audio and video works out there, it would be impossible to check if a submission is original or not. -->>> The Copyright Office does not examine submissions for originality -- only that the application form is completely filled out and a deposit copy has been provided.

December 3rd, 2002, 09:32 AM	#8
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	The courts would decide any validity to a copyright infringement. Jeff

May 26th, 2003, 02:54 AM	#9
Aaron Rosen Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: HB, CA - USA Posts: 298	Anyone know if you can do an ONLINE registration?

May 26th, 2003, 06:00 AM	#11
Aaron Rosen Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: HB, CA - USA Posts: 298	Bummer - Thank You for the reply.