How to Register a Screenplay with the U.S. Copyright Office (Step-By-Step)

This video shows step by step instructions on how to register a screenplay with the U.S. Copyright Office. For more information, or if you need copyright help, find out more about me and my services at www.ZernerLaw.com
NOTE: There have been some minor changes to the form since I first posted this video but nothing that you won't be able to deal with.

[@ebonylo.]

thank you just finished my application, see you all on the big screen.

[@tylerkaess6481]

Did you do it

[@ebonylo.]

@@tylerkaess6481 Haha thanks for asking I stopped, life happens but since you replied that's a sign

[@tylerkaess6481]

You can do it. "Stan Lee" if you have an idea that you genuinely think is good. Don't let some idiot tell you otherwise. Best of luck. From God. Oh wait I meant The S.m

[@ebonylo.]

@@tylerkaess6481 thank you!!

[@tylerkaess6481]

Don't even think about quitting. Keep going.

[@CoachAntonioStarr]

10 years later and still accurate. Evergreen content.

[@irobbartist6093]

Make sure you click specifically Register One Work by One Author because if not they'll charge you $55 standard rather than $35. It's the same process, just certain questions are formatted slightly differently.

[@MotherSonProductions]

where is this specific box i must click? it says $55 although I have said single author, same claimant, one work, not for hire

[@irobbartist6093]

You have to click the option before you put information in. Its it's own portal

[@thedcgirl202]

I saw this AFTER I paid....It's cool though. At least I know for next time! Thanks!!!!

[@croane]

Thank you! So happy I saw your comment before I paid!

[@croane]

Thank you! So happy I saw your comment before I paid!

[@CherDavisActress]

Straightforward and to the point. Exactly the type of walkthrough I needed. Thanks Larry!

[@chrisbrannick376]

This is so clear and straightforward - brilliant. As someone says lower down, some pages have changed since you made the video, but not substantially and it's still simple to follow. Thanks!

[@Bennett_Hennessey]

Would just like to say thank you for a very helpful and clear video. Two pages have slightly changed since you recorded this video, but they have not changed the order and you can still follow the steps easy enough.

[@andreneal4884]

Just wanted t say thank you so much for taking your timeto help all us writers that didnt know what to do.

[@frank1330]

Really appreciate the walk-through. Form has changed a bit - but still incredibly helpful. Unblock those pop-ups before uploading was the tricky part!

[@ashahope333]

Thanks Larry! I just finished my script! I followed your video which was amazingly easy and precise! Now my characters will hit the big screen!!. I actually already have a producer interested!

[@stephenedwards5534]

Larry this is GREAT! Fee went up to $55 since you made this - but site is mostly the same - appreciated!

[@JJGunner3]

i have to say thank you on two counts. 1) helping me realise this was necessary in the first place (I had previously only registered through WGA), 2) for this comprehensive tutorial. I would have become frustrated trying it on my own. Much much appreciated.

[@leitrius]

Very helpful!!! Thank you for posting this vid. Those forms are extremely confusing and your tutorial is a complete time saver.

[@mikestechy]

Very VERY useful. I'm a Canadian artist. I already registered my feature screenplay with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), some colleagues suggested doing it with the U.S. Copyright Office, some said not to worry about it. Chose to do it anyway... Very easy walkthrough! Thanks Larry! Also, had to pay $65.00 USD... Not sure if that's due to the fact that I'm not an American or if the price inflated. Thanks again!

[@HeyChanteHey]

Thank you so much for this! I was about to submit my screenplay as literary!

[@SonjaUnapologetic]

I’ve referred back to the video multiple times over the years. Thank you for this information.

[@TheJereld]

I just want to give you a big huge Thank You for making this vid. Having you walk me through step by step comforted my process. Went excellent! If the screenplay sales maybe I'll hire you. Have a great day, sir. FYI: The new charge is $55.00. Just a heads up.

[@diamondc.7367]

New charge is $85

[@DariusDestinations]

I had a lot of questions, but this video answered them all.Thank you. This was very helpful

[@captainexcalibur5051]

Thank you so much for the info and guidance, Larry! Great video! Best wishes to you and yours! :)

[@JillMurphyLong]

Thank you for translating the government's cryptic website. You make it so simple. Will be sharing your KZbin video with my fellow screenwriters and calling you as soon as I sell mine or if I need to proceed with PPM for my indie film.

[@emelinehensley7617]

Thank you so much for posting! You saved me so much hassle and time!!

[@AliseFH]

Thank you so much for posting this video. You have saved a lot of us a lot of time and money!

[@damwaterthomas1980]

I've recently emailed Larry and he responded this morning with a good answer to clear up any confusion. Anyhow thank you Larry for your fast response to my question through email. So keep up the good work and happy early 4th of July.

[@ChrisCorson]

Exactly what I needed to see. Very well executed. Thank you.

[@ericweinstein6319]

Fantastic Video! Easy step-by-step instructions. Thanks for your help!

[@theclouses2984]

Thank you!! We used this as a guideline but just saw you made an updated version. If I sell my script, I'm coming to you!

[@ClintFord]

Where is the updated version?

[@jbirenz]

@@ClintFord kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHqYZaavna-Nadk

[@Itlivesinthewall]

Here's me, a clueless teenager wanting to get into filmmaking...and here's Shelly helping me out! Thanks!

[@PookieDeRose]

Thanks for the video Larry, much appreciated!

[@philhopersberger5909]

Larry Zerner ROCKS! Very helpful guy and if I ever need to hire an attorney for my screenplays, the Z-Man gets the nod!

[@TraceeBeebe]

Thank you Larry, I forget how to do this every time.

[@rashadtheentertainer7095]

This helped me a lot. Thank you, Larry!

[@daeilkim7183]

Thanks for the great video! I have a quick question; how do I update my screenplay file if needed, or do I have to upload the new file every time the screenplay gets revised?

[@kolshack]

Yes. You either upload it directly, or you can choose to mail the hard copy to the Copyright Office. There is a page you will print with a bar code that you will include with your script (or other material).

[@leonaheraty3760]

Thanks so much, Larry! This is so helpful! Hal Croasmun, my instructor for my MSC-15 course with ScreenwritingU, recommended we watch your video to help us copyright our script. :-)

[@kolshack]

I'm glad you liked it. Please tell Hal I said Thanks for the recommend

[@leonaheraty3760]

@@kolshack Will do, Larry! Take care! :-)

[@DakkaLova]

The site has changed a bit since this video, but this was still very helpful. Thanks Larry!

[@TheConstantSeeker]

THANK YOU! Excellent video. Sure the website has changed, but it's basically still the same process.

[@Elite1inamillion]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Best wishes to you.

[@Jumpman_5000]

Just registered... Helped a bunch. Thanks so much.

[@carlospuentes66]

Great video, Larry. Thanks for the information!

[@D-Harm]

Hey Larry Great video it helped me out a lot. I have a question when I submitted all the information it did not ask me to upload my work. Does that come after the deposit is made or do I submit the documentation before? Because it wouldn't let me upload the work.

[@roro28818]

Excellent video! Thank you Larry for making this video 😎😊

[@sarthakthakur8855]

It's 2021, and this is still helpful

[@sunnymurchison4801]

Thank you, Attorney Zerner. Your tutorial was elegant and simple!!!!! Cordially, Sunny Murchison Burga Guelmim Morocco North Africa

[@YouNeedMeade]

Thanks for the info! Also thank you for giving Jason his mask.

[@bradyancy4802]

Joey Guy Meade 😂😂😂😂

[@MikeBcomedy]

Thank you very much for all the help. You made it really easy.

[@IndieShooter]

Thanks Larry! You're awesome!!!!!

[@mostdangerousmanalive]

This was so helpful. Thank you so much!

[@michaeladair9904]

Awesome Larry, just did this. I'll be in touch if i get any bites. Again thanks for posting.

[@bubuluke]

Thanks! You saved me from making a mistake !

[@KikiMc89]

THANKS LARRY THIS HELPED ME SO MUCH I APPRECIATE YOUR TUTORIAL :)

[@riokelley207]

Thank you Larry!! Easy peasy! You're an entertainment rockstar attorney!

[@kolshack]

Thanks so much.

[@rjdawson3668]

really really appreciate this. Thank you!

[@sophieallen9158]

Hi larry, I will be registering my first screenplay in about a month.I have a few questions: I am not currently living in the United States, my contact number and mailing address will be located outside of the US (South America).Will this be a problem? When sending my screenplay to companies in the US am I immediately at a disadvantage because of where I live?I know people in the movie business wil not go out of their way to contact a writer.Is there anything I can do to optimize my chances? If I choose to write under a pseudonym,do I write that on the title page or my real name? Is there an option to pay through PayPal as I don't have a credit card? If the script were to be purchased can I be paid through PayPal? Whats the best way to negotiate price? Would you recommend it to someone outside the US? I intend to send my scripts to the UK as well. Do I have to copyright under UK laws or does this registration cover any other part of the world? If I have to register again under UK regulations, will that impede on this copyright? Thank you for your time.

[@imaansharifi7493]

Thank you sir.... i really needed it and it was absolutely useful

[@sammacadam9294]

Thanks very much Larry! Very helpful!

[@thedcgirl202]

This was very helpful....Thank you!

[@daveorenstein7802]

Thank you. It was a big help

[@DameVIP]

This was very helpful! Thank you so much! :D

[@robnewmanvlogsnewman3566]

Thank you so much! really helped!

[@howardfriedman8847]

Love ya Larry. Thanks for the help!

[@LT-bi9up]

Thank you, it was very useful.

[@bettyruthdenson]

Thank you! Very helpful video

[@izisart]

Great instructional, Larry. Question: I am trying to register two writers as authors of the screenplay but the form allows for only one name. How can my partner and I be listed as authors on the registration?

[@gandolfidentifiesaswhitewi8493]

Hi Larry! Thanks for making it clear and easy to follow. My script is now registered! What if you want to register every few major drafts? Does that help protect my script?

[@kolshack]

+Richard Soriano Not really, but if the final version of the script is significantly different from the previously registered version then it's not a bad idea to register the final version as well. But you don't have to register the interim versions.

[@mheadfilms3206]

I really appreciate the guidance. When my movie is shot and distributed I will add you as a credit under creative law consultant. I might be needing further assistance later.

[@JillMurphyLong]

Hi Larry! Thanks for demystifying the government's website! Shared your video on my FB page to encourage my fellow writers to view and seek your help when they option it!

[@wf1218]

This helped a lot, Thank you!

[@ricklord7144]

That was awesome... Thank you much!!!

[@joeorrego7247]

Thanks!!! So Very Helpful!

[@cheerupcharlie12]

so helpful! Thank you so much :)

[@IndustryPets]

Awesome! Thanks Larry

[@UnderRaidar]

Very helpful video! Do I have to register the co-writer's (work for hire) on this if it's my story and I basically wrote most of it?

[@kolshack]

If he or she is a co-author then they should be listed even if you wrote most of it. But it depends on the specific facts of the situation.

[@loyaldeterminedcom8234]

Just Registered My Screenplay Today

[@roehaus1]

Hi Larry, Excellent presentation. One question......at the end when you say "upload deposit". Is the "deposit" the screenplay? And if it is, do I use a text file or a PDF? Thanks in advance Jerry

[@kolshack]

The deposit is the screenplay. And you should use a PDF.

[@saintpalm]

I literally come back to this video 3 times a year lol

[@cedega2900]

Thanks for doing this!

[@ProfessorTime]

Wow, great video.

[@SalinasReneG]

Great job, Larry. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. If my screenplay has a character singing lyrics from a copyrighted song. Would I check the lyrics box in Material Excluded? Thank you in advance.

[@kolshack]

Yes, you can do that.

[@SalinasReneG]

@@kolshack Thank you very much, Larry. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

[@gianthills]

Can a Canadian register a screenplay with the US copyright Office? I read that it's possible as long as the US has a Treaty agreement with the other country. The problem is that in Canada they dont register the actual screenplay, but only a title. Thanks!

[@michaelursu]

Cheers Larry! Thanks so much.

[@angelpena6562]

This might be a weird question to ask, but if you would be copyrighting a screenplay of a complete series, say about 50 episodes, do i have to pay for every episode screenplay? Does it have a limit on what you can upload?

[@KingOneTwo]

Awesome Vid! How long should we wait after we complete the form before we should try and shop our scripts around? Should we wait for the physical certificate?

[@kolshack]

You don't need to wait for the certificate. You can start sending it out as soon as you file

[@henrytjernlund]

If I have a TV pilot script and a series bible, do I register them together using the Standard Copyright ($55) process? If yes, how many episode scripts can be registered together? Thanks.

[@mirageblacktvseries8998]

Awesome! Made it a breeze thanks

[@hakobyanhakob81]

Thanks a lot for this video!

[@tchippat7634]

Very useful to watch this.

[@Christianbaker87]

Thank You! helped a lot!

[@HenryLowery1]

Thank you sir. I got your info. You might be hearing from me soon.

[@j.goodman3575]

Great video!

[@stonewall2112]

Thank you for this video! I am wondering, how do famous people gets rights to their "stage names," "nicknames" (pseudonym/s?) or whatever word describes it?

[@kevinl20082008]

If you make changes to already registered work do you have to re-register it?

[@eroutefilms679]

If I haven't finished my screenplay yet, but I want to register it... do I follow the same process? I intend to complete my work, but for now I want to have it copyrighted so I can also submit it to contests, etc.

[@carezmaentertainmentmanage5054]

Hi Larry, I would like to do a remake of an old movie. How do I go about doing this?

[@Konngeman]

i have done whole process 3 weeks ago, now i have finished edited version and i wanna upload it again and give the number and a year, do i have to pay another fee?

[@polykarposparioritsas1362]

What if the screen play is an adaptation of my own published novel? What should I choose to the option " Has this work been published?". Thank you

[@jmo5037]

I'm from India but I write content for US productions. I have been registering my works with WGA but I believe that doesn't provide ownership of the work. Should I register with US Copyright Office or can I register with another one from the UK for example if it's more convenient. Will I be able to strengthen and present my case if I choose a copyright office other than the one in the US?

[@filminaweek9367]

Thank you! this was great i probably would've given up

[@ryanstinson7651]

Film in a week

[@haleyt9641]

hi! This video was extremely informative thank you! I'm just wondering if you have to have a lawyer? Also when copyrighting a screenplay is it very serious where it can be a i don't know a federal offense if done wrong or something happens? I just finished writing a screenplay and would love to copyright it but should i get any professional help or can i just do it on my own and make it official?

[@kolshack]

You don't need to have a lawyer. That's why I made this video, so you can do it yourself. But if you feel that it's too difficult you can hire me to do it for you.

[@HonestArttsEntertain]

thx for the video. If you are copy writing a tv show, how does that work? Tv shows have multiple episodes. Any do you have to pay the same fee each time for each draft of a screenplay?

[@kolshack]

TV shows are pretty much the same. You can register each show separately or put them all together if you want. You do have to pay a fee for each draft, but you don't have to register every draft of the screenplay. You only need a new registration if you made major substantive changes to the script.

[@thomasxguyot]

Hi Larry ! Thanks for this great video ! Tell me, I have a question.. You said that it takes 4 month before receiving the certificate in the mail box. But during this four month, we can send the screenplay to producer ? Or we have to wait ? Thank you for your response.

[@kolshack]

You do not have to wait. The copyright registration will be dated the day you filed.

[@thomasxguyot]

Amazing ! Thanks for your quick answer !

[@richgold8429]

Thanks Larry!