I have some planning done for an animated series. I would like to be able to show these works (character designs, background art, storyboard, and script) in order to attract more people to work on it. However since it is as far along as it is, I worry that it is a good target for someone who would want to steal the idea. I would like to copyright, but I do not have a lot of money.
I found the form VA for copyrighting visual arts works, so that I may copyright the character, concept art, and storyboard. However this form says that copyrighting does not protect ideas, regardless of how the work describes, explains or illustrates.
I have not yet looked over the forms for copyrighting script or animations.
I'm wondering if there is any way other than hiring an expensive lawyer to do this.
How do small production studios copyright their works in progress?
Getting a Copyright on the art and screenplay (an alternative is registering the screenplay with the WGA) will protect your work.
No matter what, the idea is fair game.
For example I can do an animation about a superhero who is from another planet, was put on a rocket as an infant and shot into space by his ruler father just as the hero's home planet was dying. Now on Earth, he finds he has superhuman powers and uses them to fight evil.
This is the idea of Superman, but bc I haven't used names like Clark or Lois or Superman and haven't put him in a red and blue suit with an S on the chest and all that, I'm able to go free and clear of copyright.
There's a specific studio that actually makes a business stealing ideas of Hollywood movies and making new low budget, straight to video movies. I think one of their latest offerings was "Snakes on a Train".
The point is there's really no way to keep someone from stealing your idea, only the way you present the idea in art or video etc.
At least that's the way I understand it. I'm certainly no expert, though.
Oh, and if there's real money in this. I'd definitely think about getting a lawyer anyway.
Good luck.
www.ElusiveMoose.com
rigel496, you can do a search on the site for "copyright." There are a bunch of threads created about this that you can browse.
Aloha,
the Ape
...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."
would it make a difference if we have the concept ready in terms of complete first episode or something similar.
Because from what you guys are saying, laywers wont make much of a difference unless we have money to pursue the case.
So the only effective remedy in my view would be quick time to market and getting your self known the orignal brand as oppose to "snakes on train"
Now how you do that may be a different story.
just my 2 cents
-asif
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YIM: asifbiz Skype: cubexsystems
If you really want to protect your project/property, and if your property is truly deserving of protection.......hire a lawyer to get the right answers.
It'll NEVER be money misspent.
You'll get the real, straight goods on what you can do, what protection you have, and how to fight back if your rights are infringed.
Trying to circumvent this, by going cheap, just leaves you open to future potential problems and says you are not truly serious.
There's is no substitute for sound legal advice.
Besides, most locales allow you to write off legal expenses like that as a tax deduction for a business.
"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)
Hi !
The law provides several forms of protection for intellectual property, though it’s vital to understand that YOU are wholly responsible for enforcing them. Some are free (confidentiality, copyright and design right) and some involve official fees (design registration, trade mark and patent).
The first step is to determine what type of intellectual property protection you need.
Your second step should be to familiarize yourself with the general rules and requirements for applying for a registration. (To do so, go to Basic Facts and Frequently Asked Questions. You can look up legal terms as well as other terms relating to Glossary definition)
Your Third step: you can prepare and submit your own application with fee, but you must comply with all requirements of the statute and rules. If you choose to do, you can consult or/and appoint an attorney to represent you interests
Types of Intellectual Property:
There are three types of intellectual property: trademarks, patents and copyrights
Trade Mark: A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others.(But before applying to register your proposed trade mark, use the Patent Office’s Search and Advisory Service to (1) advise on its registrability and (2) check that it isn’t going to infringe an existing trade mark.)
Patent: patent protects an invention.
Copyright: Copyright Protects an original artistic or literary work. ( As sole protection for an idea that’s little more than a thought - for example, an idea for a TV series. Even if you write it down, copyright only protects those words from being copied; it doesn’t protect the thinking that lies behind them.)
Copyright gives limited but worthwhile protection against the unauthorized copying of drawn, written or photographic descriptions of your invention. Carry out this simple procedure to establish a date at which the copyright material was known to exist:
1 Make drawings of your idea and/or take photos or videos of your prototype. Write any text needed to make use of your idea - for example rules of a game. Write your name on each document.
2 Place all documents (originals only - copies won’t do) in an envelope sealed in a tamper-proof way. For example, cover the glued flaps at both ends with parcel tape.
3 Mail the envelope to yourself by registered post, and keep the dated Post Office receipt. Keep both in a safe place and don’t ever open the envelope.It should be sealed !
In the case that you find out your idea has been stolen and you want to file suit, the presiding judge or solicitor or an appropriate official. Will open the contents and validate that.
Other than that, there are no guarantees in life!
Even if you plan to protect your idea in other ways, copyright it immediately (to establish the earliest possible date of origin) and do it again every time you significantly improve your idea.
Copyright is recognized internationally, It’s free and there are no application formalities. Anyone who without your permission deliberately copies or adapts your drawings or text, or handles such copies, infringes your copyright and can be taken to court.
But it doesn’t protect your idea or your product; it only protects the images and text you use to describe it. Nor does it protect you if someone can use your idea without having to copy it. Nonetheless, it may be sufficient protection if the income from your invention is likely to be small.
Patent agents :
Patent agents are qualified to advise on all intellectual property matters, and can act for you when disputes arise. Many are also experienced in negotiating and drafting licensing agreements.
For all officially registrable protection use a patent agent from the start if you can afford it, or from the first sign that your idea is a winner. Intellectual property is what you’re selling to companies or building your own business round, so it needs to be as strong as possible.
On the other hand, no patent agent can guarantee that your patent will provide you with licensable intellectual property or result in a commercially successful product. That depends entirely on the merits of your idea and on your own efforts to exploit it.
At a pinch you can draft your own application. (It has to be defined precisely and expressed in suitable form so that the rights in it can be traded like any other commodity.)
Finally
No one can predict how the different components of your intellectual property will change in value over time - like a little-known trade mark that becomes enormously valuable later - so NEVER be persuaded to exclude anything ‘minor’ from protecting .
PLEASE NOTE:For Further Information OR clarification on Circulars, announcements, regulations, other related materials contact concerned office.
All the best for your endeavour .
***I Have a similar Interest To Create Own Animation Series. Let Me Know If We Can Team Up. If you have questions in specific, please email me at sbhavankar@yahoo.com ***
You are perpetuating a myth called the "poor man's copyright".
It doesn't work, and the courts will not consider it.
The reason being is that all the marks and reciept slips can be easily forged.
Only by registering the material with the government copyright/trademark offices will you have protection that will stand up in court.
Publishing the material in a public venue, such as a magazine, can also give you some protection, but its limited to pretty much just establishing the "date of creation" for the material. If two conflicting items are publish simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, the creator that can show registration of their copyright will usually win, even if the other party actually did create theirs first.
Officially registering is the only guarantee you can accquire in this process.
"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)
If a user shares a recommendation in their remark, you should make sure that the information they are providing is unique and complies with all applicable copyright laws. If you use a tool or approach they developed in their advice, you may wish to give them due credit.
Furthermore, creating information using the Long Summary tool might be quite helpful in this situation. It enables users to clearly and comprehensively convey their ideas without omitting any crucial details. I've had a lot of success using it on sites like Long Summary, where comprehensive suggestions and summaries significantly improve content and user confidence.