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HOW YOU ARE PROTECTED -
Visit CreatorsVault.comfor
time stamped proof-of-creation...
Executives and Companies using The Television
Writers Vault to scout projects are all well established,
respected within the television producing community, and place
a high value on reputation and relations within their community
of network executives, producers and writers. Every
company and executive that uses TVWritersVault.com has
agreed to our "Confidentiality/Terms of Service"
policy. Member writers may enter the Television Writers
Vault using a unique username and password where they are
then taken to a PERSONAL PROJECT STATUS PAGE linked to our
database that will post LIVE activity of companies reviewing
material. Executives viewing material posted with the TV Writers
Vault may select statuses "Under Consideration",
"Pass", "Requesting Contact with Writer",
or "Send Script for Review" as applicable for any
projects reviewed. That status is then posted in real time
to the specific writers status page under their title listings
with date and time of status. We make every attempt to keep
the writer "in the know" of all activity regarding
their projects.
Additionally, you, the writer, must be very
clear on what you are presenting and know the difference
between a generic idea and a clearly developed concept for
a show. Vague or generic "Ideas" are not
protected by copyright law or even by the Writers Guild of
America. It is the specific and unique expression of an original
concept that is protected as an "Intellectual Property".
Therefore, the more specific and original you are, the more
protection you have.
Anyone who intends on making progress and building
relationships in the entertainment industry must understand
that success is built on collaboration, and you cannot move
forward unless you are willing to expose your creations.
People who are legitimate have no need to steal ideas, as
it puts their relationships at risk with everyone related
to producing the show if they subject themselves to a potential
lawsuit. It's too easy for an executive to keep a relationship
open with a writer who can consistently bring them good ideas,
rather than risking reputation and relationships for one idea
that may or may not come to fruition in the market. With that
said, you should only deal with companies and executives that
have reputable track records. Also important to know is that
we DO NOT allow any writers to search or view our database
of titles and concepts. Only industry executives that have
been screened.
With the previous detailing how WE protect you
as a member of our service, how do you legally protect
the show you have created? Time-stamped "Proof of
Creation" is necessary to establish third-party validation
of your project having been created at a specific time previous
to marketing your project. CreatorsVault.com
is a web-based archival system where you can upload your original
written material to a protected database and in return receive
a time-stamped electronic certificate and "CV Number".
Your material is then archived in original form and only released
as third-party evidence in the event of any legal proceeding
or arbitration.
Have a detailed outline of your show that is
anywhere from a half-page to 2 pages in length to ensure
your originality. Upon registration with CreatorsVault.com
keep the registration certificate in your personal files,
and simply type your "CV Number" on your show treatment
whenever submitting the project to potential buyers and industry
executives. Return to submit your show to the Television Writers
Vault and we will return formal confirmation of your materials
received.
Save all correspondences with any company that
engages you via our services, and include a dated cover letter
with any materials submitted via mail or fax. When a company
or executive makes an offer to "option" (buy) your
show, that's the time to seek the aide of an entertainment
attorney. Refer to our "Industry
Standard Deals"page for details on what terms to
expect with any offer to purchase a project for televised
production.
Protective Resources - It is not mandatory
for projects submitted to The TV Writers Vault to be registered
at the Writers Guild of America or Library of Congress, but
it is highly recommended when beginning broad marketing of
an original project.
The most commonly used by professionals is the Writers Guild
of America time-stamped registration for proof of creation.
You will receive an instant WGA Registration number when registering
online, and a certificate by mail to follow.
Register your original first draft of any project, and keep
drafts of each revision thereafter.
Straight submission of your project to The TV Writers Vault
also provides electronic-mailed proof of authorship, as our
communications and confirmation of receipt establishes date/time/and
draft. To begin your membership and project submission with
us, CLICK
HERE
For a more formal, and more expensive form of protection
for your intellectual property, you can also apply for a copyright
at the Library of Congress. Click the link below for more
information.
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