Re: Screenplay rewrite / ownership query

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On 12/10/01, Paco wrote:
> How are you doing folks ?
>
> A question, to which any answers would be extremely
> helpful :
>
> If a screenplay is optioned, and a rewrite undertaken and
> paid for : When the option expires, do I, the writer, own
> the copyright to the rewrite ? (Given that I own the
> underlying rights to the work that the rewrite was based
> upon).
>
> Thank you for your time and wisdom.
>
> Paco
>
I am not an attorney.
I am a screenwriter too.
1. Check out WGA web site.
2. Who wrote the original screenplay?
3. How much was changed.
4. WGA guidelines (you're not a member?) indicate that (my
interpretation) whoever writes the most gets first credit;
whoever writes 2nd most gets 2nd credit.
5. If you're the rewriter, it depends on how much you wrote,
changed, etc.
6. The original writer of the script would keep copyright to
that portion he/she wrote is what my interpretation of the
copyright is, but prove it in court if you have a problem,
and u open up a whole can of worms, attorneys, $$$$, who
needs it?
7. Better if you write a script entirely by yourself, then no
question of who owns what.
8. Realize if u sell the script, the producer can change
everything from the title, to plot, characters, dialogue,
Anything and Everything, and u may not recognized your
project. Then Producer can hire another writer to rewrite
your script.
9. Take the money and run, is my advice ;)
10. As far as underlying rights, if it started out as a
copyrighted project (book, article, etc.) you're better be
sure u own the rights and the contracts are clear.
Best wishes, D

Re: Screenplay rewrite / ownership query, 7/24/02, by D.

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