Assignment of Rights - when should you sign one of these?

[sheaman]

The Director and co-writer (even though I wrote it and he gave notes) of my screenplay is claiming he needs me to assign all my rights to him to clear up the chain of title for the foreign production company that is interested in buying the project. Has anyone ever heard of this before?

[chrisb]

I'm sure your co-writer would love to have the title chain free and clear, especially if the foreign company is about to make an offer (to buy or option the material). I would have thought the assignment of rights would accompany the rest of the paperwork. Why does he/she need this signed ahead of time?
Probably best to seek out an entertainment attorney to advise you, and to review anything you're asked to sign.
Cheers,
Chris

[sheaman]

Thanks for the post Chrisb. My lawyer is advising me not to do anything at this point and wait for the offer to come in. I think that they are trying to take advantage of a green writer, obviously. I just want to believe that there are some good creative people out there that understand that if you collaborate with someone for three years on a project that wins grants and interest from serious money that it's probably not a good idea to screw him over. I really don't understand how this guy can then look me in the eye and ask me to let him negotiate my deal for me after I assign all my right to him. How should I deal with this and still save this thing from blowing up - like I'm about to do?

[zz9]

Get a lawyer. Pay him to argue your side and sort out a deal, and your partner will realise he's not dealing with a fool.

If there's a deal in the offing then whatever the lawyer charges will pale into insignificance beside what you could loose by signing away anything. If you're short of money a lawyer may agree to work for a percentage of any deal that may happen.

And if your partner thinks you shouldn't get a lawyer involver, tell him he's crazy. Everyone in the business uses lawyers. It makes things clear and avoids any misunderstanding later. If he's on the level he will have no problem. If he objects then it means he wants to screw you.

[kullervo]

Your lawyer doesn't sound nearly pissed off enough on your behalf to be a real entertainment attorney. Chain of title? How hard can he yank your chain before it snaps off? He could get you to sign over your script, turn around and sell it at 100% his. The only time you assign your rights is to the buyer when their check clears.

kullervo