Copyright help?

[nycgq79]

Would any body know the process of copyrighting? I have a musical where the plot is all my idea, but was inspired by the music of famous artist. I know I have to be very careful approching the artist, but what I am worried about is the plot it self being taken by the artist, and spun in a different direction. So the person that inspired me could infact just change a few words around and change the title so it would be thiers. Hopfully this makes some sence and I would love any info on the subject.

[Joe Calabrese]

Your particular situation is interesting and poses some challenges.

Check out the library of congress' copyright section for all the info you need to register your work at: http://www.copyright.gov/register/performing.html

I would definitely register before letting people consider (read) it.

As for the musician and his music the piece is inspired from. Of course since he's alive (otherwise how would you approach him?) I'm sure his music is not in public domain. With that said. You will need his permission to use any of his music in your play, but may not need any if ALL music is new and original and just the play is inspired by the artist's music. Fine line here so talk to a lawyer.

One thing to consider with your fear of the artist stealing it is that you can't copyright an idea ONLY the action and specific events within your screenplay or play which your specific characters take. So even if you copyright this particular play and then send it to the musician in question, he may still take the concept and idea and just change the action and characters.

But most times it's easier and cheaper to buy something than it is to create it yourself.

God luck and I am curious to which artist and music it is.

[JustinoXXV]

"I have a musical where the plot is all my idea, but was inspired by the music of famous artist. I know I have to be very careful approching the artist, but what I am worried about is the plot it self being taken by the artist, and spun in a different direction. So the person that inspired me could infact just change a few words around and change the title so it would be thiers. Hopfully this makes some sence and I would love any info on the subject."

Joe's already given you the link to register your play with, which you should obviously do. I'd still like to point out that anything you write is under copyright protection from the moment you write it.

As for someone stealing your work, there's at least two reasons why that probably won't happen.

It's a whole lot easier to simply buy it.

And to be frank, beginner/newbie scripts suck so bad you couldn't pay someone to take them. LOL. And I said this as someone whose having to rewrite all of his bad first drafts. Not that their concepts were bad, but my execution of them was. I simply needed proper instruction which I'm now getting.