Copyright questions

[doctort13]

This year I plan to produce a short public access tv show using my own puppets/scripts/music.

I would like to protect my work by copyrighting it. Has anyone on the board done this with their creations? I do not have lots of money to hire a lawyer and would like to know if there is an inexpensive way to do this?

Thanks

 

[scarylarrywolf]

This year I plan to produce a short public access tv show using my own puppets/scripts/music.

I would like to protect my work by copyrighting it. Has anyone on the board done this with their creations? I do not have lots of money to hire a lawyer and would like to know if there is an inexpensive way to do this?

Thanks

I sent in a form to copyright my puppets last year (I still haven't got it back yet -- screwy government). I got the visual arts form for that, but if you want your film clips copyrighted then you'll want a PA form located here:
http://www.copyright.gov/register/performing.html

Good luck!

 

[Jinx]

Copyright is a deliberately vague issue accorfing to governmental guidelines. There are so many facets to it, from imagery to literature to music, etc., that there are actually very few concrete guides to follow.

However, there is a very simple way to get started. Simply type © 2004 and your name on your documents, and voila, an actual legal copyright has been created. However, what can become difficult is defending said copyright. Usually the basic notation will ward off any plaigarists, but if someone really wanted to try to steal your stuff and you ended up taking it to court, you might have a bit of protection by mailing yourself a copy of your copyrighted script. That way you would have a sealed envelope containing your original materials, and a postmark to help corroborate the date. Its hardly airtight, but my father actually won back-royalties on some of his work by doing just this one simple thing.

As far as attorneys etc. go, you probably don't need that level of protection unless you're planning to play with the big-boys (ie. IBM, Coca-Cola etc)

Ultimately you don't want to spend a million dollars protecting a work that ends up only being worth a thousand.

I have 5 shows that I've co-written for schools that I've simply put the © symbol on. I've had no problems controling the material, even when licensing others to perform it.

 

[Buck-Beaver]

Jinx is right, you shouldn't worry so much about copyright. You don't have to file anything to have copyright, it's granted to you as soon as you create something as long as you indicate it's a copyrighted work (as per Jinx's suggestion).

Registering something just makes it easier to sue someone who infringes on your work. But even if this happened to you (and it's rare that it actually does) keep in mind that most decent lawyers wouldn't even take a case without a $5000 - $10,000 retainer up front. If you don't have that kind of money to spare you won't be suing anyone anyway.

BTW - contary to popular belief - the old "mailing yourself a copy of script" trick is not generally considered proof of anything any more, even if it is sent registered mail or via courier. If you are really worried and going to bother to register something, do it the right way. Honestly I'd spend my time and energy just making the show as good as possible.

For more info on copyright, how it really works and what some of the common myths about it are check out this link - http://www.sfwa.org/Beware/copyright.html

There are also several threads covering various aspects of copyright here in the forum if you do a search.

You should also read any agreements with the public access station carefully - make sure you own your ideas, scripts, puppets, etc. If you were going to spend some $$ on something, have a lawyer spend an hour reading over any contracts. I know a few people who found out too late they didn't own their own creations/scripts because of "fine print" that they didn't bother to read or didn't understand.

I hope this helps!

 

[doctort13]

Thanks gang

Some good input indeed. The public access studio does make it clear that the creator/producer retains all the rights to the work. I even own the video tape after they run the show 6 times.

Here's a link to the studio if you are interested:
Media Bridges

I am still learning the equipment and plan to roll tape in the summer.
Digital video production is new to me, and I LOVE it!

 

[Puppetplanet]

Oh yeah, I'm wiping the dust off and diggin this old thread out of it's coffin where it probably belongs. *laughing*

I was wondering if anyone had any legal text that could be used in relation to puppets built for a client. Bascially, I would like something that would allow me to release in part or in full, the design of a puppet and it's pattern for duplication of ONLY that character.

Can someone help me out with some simple text in regards to this matter?

Thanks,
-Michele

 

[Buck-Beaver]

The bad news: something that specific you probably need to get a lawyer to draft. It'll cost at least a few hundred dollars, possibly a lot more.

The good news: Once it's drafted you can basically "boilerplate" it - change the specific details (name of character, length of license, etc.) and use it over and over again.

The alternative would be to write a letter clearly explaining what someone can and can't do in plain english, sign it and have it stamped or witnessed by a notary public. That'll afford you some protection but I'd go the lawyer route if it's possible.

 

[Puppetplanet]

*big sigh* how did I know it wasn't going to be that easy?

Okay, next question. I'm getting conflicting advice/suggestions in regards to releasing copyrights to patterns. I've been told that patterns (puppet ones to be specific) can't be copyrighted.... and someone else told me that they can if they are original works, so what do you think? I know your going to suggest an attorney, but just give me your oppinion. *grin*

Thanks Buck!

 

[Buck-Beaver]

I'm not sure if a pattern can be copyrighted, or if it has to be patented in the US. You can copyright a document that contains a pattern I suppose though so I'm just not sure.

So, uh, yeah - go get that lawyer!

 

[gfarkwort]

*Sorry for bringing this thread back but I need a question answered*

It's not illegal if I use music from other people (I.E Brian Wilson etc) and have Puppets Lip sing to it and put it on the internet is it? Isn't ok as long I as I credit the musicians,album, and year and NOT make money off the video, and say that they have no affiliation with me? Or am I wrong?