Entertainment Law Resources Blog: Copyright Registration Checklist Scripts or compl...

Entertainment Law Resources Blog: Copyright Registration Checklist Scripts or compl...: "You can now register your scripts and films over the internet with the electronic copyright office, the ECO system. LI..."

Copyright Registration Checklist Scripts or completed Motion Pictures

You can now register your scripts and films over the internet with the electronic copyright office, the ECO system.   LINK   Here is a checklist to gather the information you will need to complete an application.  To Register a Script:    What is title of the script?  Are there any alternative titles?  Has the script or a previous version been registered with the U.S. copyright office? If so, provide registration number: _____  Who wrote the script? List all writers and description of what each contributed. Give full names.  For individuals, give date of birth. If the person is deceased, provide year of death.  Which persons or companies currently own the script? If a company, give full legal name and state of incorporation.  Did the writers create the script for themselves or were they creating the script for an employer? If the latter, who was employer?  What is the address of each owner?  Is the author (owner) a U.S. Citizen?  Was ownership of the script ever assigned or transferred? If so, explain.  Is this script original or based on another work (like a book)?  What year was script that you are registering completed?  Has the script been published? (Publication is distribution to the public. Most scripts are not published). If script was published, what nation was it first published in?  To Register a Motion Picture:  What is the title of the motion picture?  Are there any alternative titles?  Is the motion picture a documentary or a narrative fictional film?  Has the motion picture or a previous version been registered with the U.S. copyright office? If so, provide registration number: _____________ and the title it was registered under.  Who wrote the underlying script that was the basis for the motion picture?  Who owned the script prior to production?  Was the script registered? If so, under what title and what was the registration number.  Who directed the motion picture? Provide full name(s).  Who produced the motion picture?  For individuals, give date of birth. If the person is deceased, provide year of death.  Who owns the completed motion picture?  (Either individuals or a company). Provide full legal name, address and state of incorporation.  Was the motion picture created by individuals as its owners or was it created for a company?  What is the address of the owner? Is the author (owner) a U.S. Citizen?  Was ownership of the motion picture ever assigned? If so, explain. Is this motion picture based on another work (such as a book or play)? What year was production completed?  Has the motion picture been distributed to the public?  If distributed, what nation was it first released in?  Was a previous version of this motion picture registered for copyright?  Does the motion picture incorporate any pre-existing copyrighted works such as music, stock footage, artwork or photographs? You will also need a brief one paragraph description or synopsis of the the motion picture.   LAST FAST RIDE   Congratulations to our clients Shannon Factor and Lilly Scourtis Ayers for having their film shown at Slamdance 2011.   The Slamdance opening night party party (Jan. 21) will feature the punk band InSaints  with an unannounced special guest. The InSaints and their late frontwoman, Marian Anderson, is the subject of a Slamdance doc called "Last Fast Ride." She was a controversial and influential lead singer and songwriter who died at the age of 33 from a heroin overdose.   Through a combination of concert footage, photographs, and interviews with key people in Marian's life, director Lilly Ayers pieces together the portrait of a fragmented and damaged girl who was left to fend for herself in a world of danger and exploitation. Narrated by punk rock legend and actor Henry Rollins, this riveting film covers Marian's idyllic youth, her tormented adolescence, and her tragic adult life, climaxing in an unforgettable ending. Film Website  LAST FAST RIDE