Considering Copyright

Ok, so it took me a while but eventually, I knew I would have to hop on the Copyright bandwagon that everyone else has so diligently blogged about during the course of this semester. To be honest, I believe that the topic of Copyright has never really interested me and hence, that is the reason why I could not be bothered to address in on my blogging site but recently, I had an experience that was similar to what one may call "a breach of copyright".

For those of you who do not know me, I love to write for film. My most prized possession is my ideas diary which I am constantly writing in, regardless of how convenient a time it is. This book is literally the most valuable thing I own and no amount of monterary value could see me torn apart from it (I realise I really shouldn't be revealing just how amazing this book is to totaly strangers on the internet who may try and steal it, but I have faith in you all that you wouldn't do that).

The reason why I brought this particular facet of my personal life into this post though is to demonstrate my annoyance at recently stumbling upon Rowan Woods' new film, Winged Creatures, starring Dakota Fanning, Forest Whittaker, Kate Beckinsale and many more. The film delves into the psyche of the human mind from a group of people who have all experienced the same type of emotional trauma, in this case, a random shooting in a Los Angeles Diner.

I was so shocked when I read the synopsis for the film that I think I very nearly fainted (which I never do by the way) and wanted to hurl my Ideas Diary out the window (I didn't don't worry. There is no point in scrounging around outside my balcony to try and find it). You see, two years ago, an idea came into my head for a feature which explored the ways in which humans react to the same tragedy, caused by a hold-up, at a diner, in Los Angeles. To make it even creepier, I worked on Rowan Woods' last production, Three Acts of Murder. Spooky ey?

Now, don't get me wrong, I am in no way insinuating that Mr Woods "stole" my idea and that this can give me ample leverage to sue him for copyright infringement. But it did beg the question:

"Is it possible to copyright a thought?"

I consulted my notes from Lecture 5 of this semester and unfortunately, realised I had already answered my own question weeks ago. According to Shaun Miller, our guest speaker for the day

"You get copyright automatically once you create the work. It does not have to be registered."

"Great!" I thought. Now it would seem that I actually have a basis for suing Rowan Woods. That was until I went on to read a bit more:

"Two criteria has to be meet
1. It has to be original
2. It has to be in a material form (written down or be in a hard copy form)

A verbal idea for example that is not written down or in a material form cannot be protected with copyright.

Bummer. Well there goes that idea.

But wait!! Didn't I say before that I HAD written my story idea down two years ago for a LA diner, hold up movie similar to Rowan Woods' Winged Creatures?
(Scrounges around room desperately trying to find book...)

*5 minutes later*

As it turns out, I DID write down my idea so now, it would seem, I can sue Mr Woods for copyright infringement. However, its when I start to research into copyright a little further that I realise that maybe that's not the best idea.

First of all, I would need to get myself a lawyer. That alone would cost me anywhere between $75 to $300 an hour! From there, I would probably spend nearly $100,000 in legal fees just to get my case to the Supreme Court.

Hmm.. maybe another time.

Well, for those of you who were like me and had never considered copyright law, I hope this post has helped. Till next time, don't worry. Be happy!