Contest rules

[nycscreenwriter]

I've seen this wording on a few contests.

"By submitting to the(Contest) you are releasing your script to (contest) and holding harmless (Contest) or any affiliates from any claims, expenses, and liabilities, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, copyright, libel, trademark, infringement, slander, personal, property, infringement, etc. "

It's like enter our contest but if a TV show with your characters appear in three years....



And is it usual to see this wording on low paying contests? (Though I realize it's not about the prize, but getting your work read!)

[JoeBanks]

Originally Posted by nycscreenwriter

I've seen this wording on a few contests.

"By submitting to the(Contest) you are releasing your script to (contest) and holding harmless (Contest) or any affiliates from any claims, expenses, and liabilities, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, copyright, libel, trademark, infringement, slander, personal, property, infringement, etc. "

It's like enter our contest but if a TV show with your characters appear in three years....



And is it usual to see this wording on low paying contests? (Though I realize it's not about the prize, but getting your work read!)

you're just agreeing not to sue them in the future if they read your script for the contest. that's all. nobody at a contest is going to steal your script.

[nycscreenwriter]

But why would we sue them for reading it? Ahiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

[JoeBanks]

Originally Posted by nycscreenwriter

But why would we sue them for reading it? Ahiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

no sane writer would. but insane, paranoid writers might when they see something later produced that bears even the slightest resemblance to their contest script. contests don't need that hassle, or legal fees

[StoryWriter]

Originally Posted by nycscreenwriter

But why would we sue them for reading it? Ahiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

A "screenwriter" unsuccessfully sued Ted Elliot, Terry Rossio, the producers and the studio of "Pirates of the Caribbean" because the script had seven "similarities" to his script.

One of the more "obvious" similarities (worth suing for) was that both scripts had a pirate ship, with a "skull and crossbones flag".

The lawyers who think up these lawsuits are probably the most creative writers out there.

[TigerFang]

Originally Posted by StoryWriter

... One of the more "obvious" similarities (worth suing for) was that both scripts had a pirate ship, with a "skull and crossbones flag".

A brief look at pirate flag design, and a good reason not to sue anyone on such flimsy grounds. Hollywood movie pirate ships have used the skull and crossbones practically since moviemaking began.

If worried about the language of contest entry rules, don't enter the contest. It's just a CYA maneuver by the contest for (obvious ... see above) legal reasons, just as an outside possibility with respect to human behavior, since they can't know the minds of their readers or what they might try.

[StoryWriter]

Originally Posted by TigerFang

A brief look at pirate flag design, and a good reason not to sue anyone on such flimsy grounds. Hollywood movie pirate ships have used the skull and crossbones practically since moviemaking began.

I was trying to do facetious. And trying to give an example of why contest sponsors might want to try to cover their butts. People will sue for anything.

Apparently the screenwriter had pitched a pirate movie to the producers, sometime in the past, and he thought would be his ticket to easy money after the "Pirates of the Caribbean" was made.

[TigerFang]

Originally Posted by StoryWriter

I was trying to do facetious. And trying to give an example of why contest sponsors might want to try to cover their butts. People will sue for anything.

Apparently the screenwriter had pitched a pirate movie to the producers, sometime in the past, and he thought would be his ticket to easy money after the "Pirates of the Caribbean" was made.

Excuse me. Took it literally. My mistake. Write on.

[StoryWriter]

Originally Posted by TigerFang

Excuse me. Took it literally. My mistake. Write on.

No big deal. I've done it plenty of times myself. I probably should just learn to say what I mean and back off on the snark.

[FoxHound]

Originally Posted by StoryWriter

No big deal. I've done it plenty of times myself. I probably should just learn to say what I mean and back off on the snark.

LOL. I thought it was quite funny. Con-snark-tinue.