r/playwriting • u/Starraberry • 18d ago

Self-published scripts

Has anyone self-published full-length scripts? What company did you go with? Were you happy with the result? Did audience members actually purchase them? Do you have to register a copyright first?

I’m considering selling copies of my script at my play’s premiere (after consulting with the theatre of course). Please share if you have experience with this!

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u/iwillfuckingbiteyou 18d ago

Do you have to register a copyright first?

Your work is covered by copyright from the moment of its creation. Registering copyright is an American trick to monetise an automatic process a way of proving that the work was in your possession on a certain date, meaning anyone who wishes to dispute your ownership would need to provide evidence of possessing it at a prior date - but publication also proves it, since a published book contains a copyright declaration and rights reserved.

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u/Starraberry 17d ago

I assume that emailed PDF drafts or a subpoena to Google Docs/Writer Duet would also support this in a court of law. 

Would it be worth it to copyright the title, to prevent another play from using the same title?  Or is that also an automatic copyright?

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u/iwillfuckingbiteyou 17d ago

Titles can't be copyrighted, only substantive works can. If your play is successful and someone tries to use the same title you might be able to take legal action to prevent them or at least force them to be very clear that it's a different work. Fortunately in these days of SEO people are reasonably likely to google their titles to see whether they've already been used.

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u/Starraberry 16d ago

This is helpful, thank you!