A scriptwriter alleged a hit film lifted his script — but “I couldn’t afford to go to Delhi to register it” sums up why he struggled to prove it. Here are the practical lessons every scriptwriter should take: register before you pitch, and don’t rely on trust.
The story
Mr Gopi filed a suit against a director, saying he’d met him thrice and discussed his script with an assistant for years, handed over a binder (the full script) before release, then was ignored — and the film turned out “based exactly on the script.” Three lessons emerge.
1. Handing over a full script — infringement?
Quite possibly. Sharing a mere idea with the assistant/director isn’t infringement — ideas aren’t copyrightable. But handing over the entire script (the binder) can be infringement if substantial portions were copied.
An aspiring writer naturally shares a story with many people to find the right producer. Gopi disclosed it because he trusted the assistant. Legally, trust isn’t a strategy — carry a Non-Disclosure Agreement with the script. A genuine friend will sign without hesitation; the moment they refuse, it’s time to leave.
2. Writers’ association — helpful?
Registering a story with a writers’ association is often advised, but it requires membership — Gopi couldn’t register because he wasn’t a member. That makes little sense when you can directly file with the Copyright Office for a nominal fee (~₹500), rather than pay ₹20,000–30,000 to first meet an association’s prerequisites (e.g. having directed 13 TV episodes) and renew annually. The Copyright Office route is simpler and cheaper.
3. You don’t have to go to Delhi
Copyright exists on creation, but it’s wise to compile evidence of creation — best done by registering the script as a literary work. And you can file via the online system — no trip to Delhi required. That single misconception cost Gopi his best evidence.
The “poor man’s copyright” trap
Mailing a sealed copy to yourself (as Gopi allegedly did) to create dated evidence is hard to prove in court — envelopes and postmarks can be faked. Courts determine first use by first publication, and a postal seal is easy to manipulate. It’s far better to file a copyright application — cost-effective and time-saving.
The bottom line
Registration is easy — the best defence against “trusted” friends who turn out to infringe. File first, pitch second. Then if someone infringes, you can play your trump card: the copyright registration itself.
The takeaways
- Ideas aren’t protected — full scripts can be if substantially copied.
- Use an NDA before pitching — trust is not a legal safeguard.
- Register with the Copyright Office (online, ~₹500), not a members-only association.
- Skip the poor man’s copyright — it’s weak evidence; a registration is your trump card.
Frequently asked questions
Is my film script protected by copyright? Copyright arises automatically in the written script as a literary work — but registering it gives you the dated evidence you’ll need to prove ownership in a dispute.
Do I have to go to Delhi to register a script? No — you can file a copyright application through the Copyright Office’s online system.
Should I register with a writers’ association instead? Direct registration with the Copyright Office is simpler and cheaper (~₹500) than membership-based association registration.
Does the “poor man’s copyright” work? Not reliably — mailing yourself a sealed copy is easy to fake and hard to prove; a copyright registration is far stronger.
Useful official resources
- The Copyright Act, 1957
- Copyright Office, India