Hello everyone:
I've posted my logline on my latest screenplay Trackers and I received a PM from someone (a writer I suppose) claiming that they had the same title and logline out for reads last year and accused me of lifting if from them. I have no idea who this person is, but--
I've had this concept since 2006 and have it registered with the WGA in a few versions. This is the fourth page one rewrite of it. It's my baby-- a very important project to me because it was my first concept (I've written other scripts, too) that turned me onto writing screenplays and it's high concept is appealing.
I always knew that one day I'd be skilled enough to execute it, and I believe that day has come. I've got plenty of records to show that I've worked on this concept, registered it, had it out for reads and even sent earlier versions out to prodcos.
I realized it was possibly a mistake to post/share story concepts and loglines within that writing group of several hundred writers when I noticed another writer post a similar logline a year or two after I'd workshopped mine.
I mentioned that I had workshopped the same concept in the few years prior and posted my logline, as I recall. I understand parallel development. I understand that people get the same idea.
But I never accused them or anyone of stealing my idea. After that I stopped sharing information about my concept.
But to have someone outright accuse me of stealing their logline and title is insulting and just pisses me off to no end. Not to mention that this person offers a veiled threat, that their work is copyright protected and that I should rethink it.
Am I being oversensitive because I'm so shocked?
I know that loglines and titles are not protected under copyright, and I'm certain that unless they've read my work, it's impossible that the execution is even close to mine- it's unique. My work will stand on it's own and only a very small group of people are privy to this latest version. I'm not worried about it being the same.
I've worked hard over the past several years to hone my craft and the last thing I want is for someone going around accusing ME of stealing their idea--
What do I do? Worry. Don't worry? I've asked who the writer is and sent them my real name as well.
Advice is appreciated.
Best,
FA4
I've posted my logline on my latest screenplay Trackers and I received a PM from someone (a writer I suppose) claiming that they had the same title and logline out for reads last year and accused me of lifting if from them. I have no idea who this person is, but--
I've had this concept since 2006 and have it registered with the WGA in a few versions. This is the fourth page one rewrite of it. It's my baby-- a very important project to me because it was my first concept (I've written other scripts, too) that turned me onto writing screenplays and it's high concept is appealing.
I always knew that one day I'd be skilled enough to execute it, and I believe that day has come. I've got plenty of records to show that I've worked on this concept, registered it, had it out for reads and even sent earlier versions out to prodcos.
I realized it was possibly a mistake to post/share story concepts and loglines within that writing group of several hundred writers when I noticed another writer post a similar logline a year or two after I'd workshopped mine.
I mentioned that I had workshopped the same concept in the few years prior and posted my logline, as I recall. I understand parallel development. I understand that people get the same idea.
But I never accused them or anyone of stealing my idea. After that I stopped sharing information about my concept.
But to have someone outright accuse me of stealing their logline and title is insulting and just pisses me off to no end. Not to mention that this person offers a veiled threat, that their work is copyright protected and that I should rethink it.
Am I being oversensitive because I'm so shocked?
I know that loglines and titles are not protected under copyright, and I'm certain that unless they've read my work, it's impossible that the execution is even close to mine- it's unique. My work will stand on it's own and only a very small group of people are privy to this latest version. I'm not worried about it being the same.
I've worked hard over the past several years to hone my craft and the last thing I want is for someone going around accusing ME of stealing their idea--
What do I do? Worry. Don't worry? I've asked who the writer is and sent them my real name as well.
Advice is appreciated.
Best,
FA4
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