FILM SCHOOL COPYRIGHT

June 6, 2009

Greetings

Copyright may be a new topic for a filmmaker starting off at film school.
Copyright is important and useful for you to learn and know about.
Film schools typically each have their own Film School Copyright Policy
whereby you own the Copyright to your short films - or - the Film School claims a right to own your Copyright.

At USC Cinema little information about U.S. Copyright Law is taught.
The USC Cinema copyright policy document reads:
"Prior to starting classes, students will be required to sign a hard copy of this document"
USC Cinema claims a right to own the copyright to your Short Films based on "use of University resources."
http://www.CopyrightUSC.com/2007-Policy.html

AFI claims a right to own the Copyright to your Short Films based on their policy phrase
"All projects Directed under the auspices of [AFI]... shall be the property of and Copyrighted in the name of the American Film institute."
http://copyrightafi.com/

USC Cinema: "use of University resources"
AFI: "directed under the auspices of AFI"
Other Film Schools have their own Copyright Policy.

U.S. Copyright Law protects authors - original works of authorship.
"So fundamental is the right to intellectual property and the protection of those who create it
that is it the only right our Founding Fathers specifically enshrined in the Constitution of the United States."
- Directors Guild of America • Resolution of the DGA National Board • April 25, 2009

Copyright of your original works
may not mean a lot to you now - down the road it will be useful for you to know about.

American Film School Policy • AFI • NYU • USC • others claim a right to own the Copyright
to the original works of authorship of film school students: Story • Treatment • Script • Short Films.

Each American Film School that claims Copyright to student works does not follow Title 17 of the U.S. Code / U.S. Copyright Law.

Copyright claims / ownership by American film schools of student works is typically under the radar of discussion.

Our Goal:

American film students

• to learn about U.S. Copyright Law to protect their original works

• to register their works with the U.S. Copyright Office in Washigton D.C.
Story • Treatment • Script • Short Films
U.S. Copyright Office: http://Copyright.gov

• Film Students to own the copyright to their Story • Treatment • Script • Short Films

Your Comments and Inquiries are welcome!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CopyrightAFI,

Film School Copyright
Video Clip
http://vimeo.com/copyrightusc -

Film School Copyright

Links to learn more about Copyright

http://StoryRights.org
http://CopyrightAFI.com
http://CopyrightUSC.com

U.S. Copyright Office
Copyright Registration for your
Story • Treatment • Script • Short Films
learn more: http://Copyright.gov

Film School Copyright Policy

Let us know what's up at your film school

1. Film School Claims the right
to own the Copyright to student-produced Short Films
AFI • NYU • USC • other film schools

2. Film Students own the Copyright
to their Story • Treatment • Script • Short Films
Art Institute • UCLA • other film schools

YOUR FILM SCHOOL ?

- Students own the Copyright to their Short Films

or

- Film School owns the Copyright to the original works created by film students

Your comments and inquiries are welcome!

OUR GOAL
Film Students
to own the Copyright to their Story • Treatment • Script • Short Films

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CopyrightAFI,

OUR GOAL
Film Students
to own the Copyright to their
Story • Treatment • Script • Short Films

U.S. Copyright Law
is on your side - protection of the rights of Authors - your Original Works of Authorship.

Learn more at the U.S. Copyright Office: http://Copyright.gov

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CopyrightAFI,

Film School Copyright Policy

1. AFI Copyright Policy
2009 Directing Workshop for Woman
AFI: http://copyrightafi.com
AFI: http://VideoHostUSA.com/AFI-DWW.pdf

2. USC Cinema Copyright Policy
USC Cinema: http://CopyrightUSC.com/2007-Policy.html

If you are willing, see if you can provide
a copy of the Copyright Policy of your film school to us.
We'll can put a link here on studentfilms.com

Your comments or inquiries are welcome.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CopyrightAFI,

June 20, 2009

Turns out that the 48 Hour Film Project
seeks to steal the copyright to Films
and unlawfully claims to be a co-author.
48HFP - http://48HourFilmProject.com/

Very silly.
The 48HFP ought to seek a simple license agreement
with the filmmakers and ought never again
seek to be a co-author and copyright owner with respect to short films.

Learn more...

48 Hour Film Project Copyright info
- http://48hourfilm2.com/

48 Hour Film Project - Copyright
YouTube: http://tinyurl.com/l6j7w5 -

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CopyrightAFI,

June 23, 2009

Turns out the the University of Miami
steals the Copyright to the original works
of film students - Short Films

see: http://com.miami.edu/MotionPictures/

GRADUATE STUDIES in MOTION PICTURES

MASTER OF FINE ARTS
(in Production)

MASTER OF FINE ARTS
(in Screenwriting)

MASTER OF FINE ARTS
(in Producing)

MASTER OF ARTS
(in Film Studies)

The right of first publication and the statutory copyright in any student’s motion picture
screenplay or film created during the student’s participation in the graduate program shall be
the property of the student. This policy does not affect agreements made between students
and sponsors which may entitle the sponsors to rights in the motion picture screenplay or
film.

The student shall be responsible for any expenses incurred in the registration of copyright.
The School of Communication reserves the right to retain a copy of the film in 16 millimeter or
videotape for use in library or other educational purposes. The school shall also have the right
to use, exploit, or otherwise provide for the exhibition of the student film for any non-profit
purpose including, but not limited to, film festivals, public television broadcasts and public
exhibitions.

Copyright PDF: http://tinyurl.com/mjwnk6