WGA script registration service

TheWGA script registration serviceis a service run by both theWriters Guild of America, East(WGAE) and theWriters Guild of America West(WGAW) to establish the date of creation ofliterary property,typically a motion picturescreenplay,useful in the often-contentious US entertainment field.

The service supports theWGA screenwriting credit systembut is also available for non-members to use. This is one of the distinctions that makes the WGAE and WGAW trueguildsand not simply atrade unionbargaining for existing members.

Registration with the guilds has become important inlawsuitsforcopyright infringement,especially where the degree of copying is very loose or vague or conceptual: invoking a guild itself as registrar indicates that the guilds' standard concept of property rights in literary works were expected to be followed by at least the registrant.

Although registration is an important part of assisting in protecting a writer's rights to his or her work and determining compensation, registration is not the same as a US copyright. Although a registration may constitute evidence in a copyright dispute, registration is not proof of copyright registration or ownership. Additionally, an official copyright registration with the USLibrary of Congressis required to invoke the jurisdiction ofUS federal courts,where most copyright infringement claims are adjudicated.

See also

• Screenwriter
• Writers Guild of America Award

External links

• Writers Guild of America, West script registry service
• Writers Guild of America, East script registry service