Why British Writers Don't Need to Worry (That Much).
'They' say that imitation is the biggest form of flattery but that's really not gonna fly when it comes to copyright. Plagiarism and IP Theft will never feel like a compliment.
There is, quite rightly, a universal fear among screenwriters about having their work copied or stolen. Luckily, us Brits are more protected than most. While idea poaching can happen, it's very rare. But knowledge is power, so let's get into it.
Copyright laws are a vital aspect of protecting the creative work of screenwriters.
In the UK, the screenplay copyright laws provide a sturdy framework to safeguard the rights of writers. British writers, therefore, enjoy a level of protection that makes copyrighting their scripts a less worrisome endeavour when compared to other regions.
So if you're a British writer, you can breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to protecting your screenplay.
Understanding Copyright in the UK:
Automatic Protection: The UK, like many other countries, follows the principle of automatic copyright protection. As soon as a screenplay is created and fixed in a tangible form, such as written or digital, it is automatically protected by copyright. This protection extends to the original expression of ideas within the script.
Duration of Copyright: In the UK, the copyright protection lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 70 years. This means that the writer's heirs and successors can continue to benefit from the copyright for many decades after the writer's passing.
Rights of the Author: The author of a screenplay holds the exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, adapt, and publicly perform the work. These rights provide a strong basis for protecting their creative work.
Stay with us, while this stuff is boring, it's good knowledge to have under your belt.
That's a basic understanding of how copyright functions in the UK, so, let's talk some more about why British writers can feel relatively secure about their screenplays. Get your yawns out the way... and let's continue:
Berne Convention Membership: The UK is a signatory to the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. This international treaty ensures that the copyright protection provided in the UK is recognised in most other countries around the world. So, even if British writers want to market their scripts globally, they enjoy a high degree of copyright protection.
No Registration Required: In many countries, writers are required to register their scripts with a copyright office for protection. In the UK, no such registration is necessary. The act of creating the screenplay automatically grants copyright protection, reducing the administrative burden on writers. Providing you've written it and have proof.
Plagiarism and Infringement: The UK has a robust legal system that takes copyright infringement and plagiarism seriously. If a British writer's screenplay is unlawfully used or copied, the legal system provides avenues for redress, including damages and injunctions.
Moral Rights: British copyright law also includes moral rights, which protect the integrity of the author's work. This means that writers have the right to be attributed as the author and can object to derogatory treatment of their script.
Collective Licensing: Organisations like the Writers' Guild of Great Britain provide collective licensing for screenwriters. This means that writers can receive fair compensation when their work is used in various media, simplifying the process of earning from their screenplays.
POV: UK COPYRIGHT LAWS
While copyright infringement remains a concern for writers worldwide, British writers can rely on the country's legal system to uphold their rights and protect their screenplays. All of these factors combined make it clear why British writers don't have to worry as much about copyrighting their scripts, allowing them to focus on what they do best – creating captivating stories for the big screen.
Of course there's a disclaimer: There are always risks when sharing screenplays. Whether that's from peers reading for feedback purposes, or big production companies reading your work when you're not represented/protected. Sometimes copying/stealing does happen and it can be pretty tricky to prove or really do anything about it. Unfortunately the world of screenwriting is a risky business and you have to stay informed, alert and savvy.
Here at Script Stable we always recommend protecting yourself and your work as much as you can. Regardless on the level of safety laws, you want to be in the know about how to protect yourself. So, if after all of this snooze-fest-copyright-info you still feel uneasy about sharing your scripts - check out our Article on How Best To Protect Your Work as a Screenwriter.
MORE ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE
30 Day Challenge - Free challenge to get your writing for 30 days.
If you've already downloaded our FREE Tools and Resources and want to show your support, you can always buy Script Stable a coffee to help keep us going.
Comentários