Legal Question in Entertainment Law in California

Copyright on monologue

I wrote a monologue a few years ago, worked on it with my former acting teacher, and have it on my computer with the copyright symbol on it. Anyways, I performed it last month at a casting director's showcase in front of some agents and CDs. Anyway, can another actor perform the monologue without my permission at an upcoming showcase? I don't have the monologue registered with the WGA or anything.


Asked on 1/28/09, 12:18 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Gordon Firemark Law Offices of Gordon P. Firemark

Re: Copyright on monologue

Much will depend on whether you and the teacher intended the work to be a "joint work", or what. If not, and the monlogue is ORIGINAL (written by you), then you own a copyright and can prevent other people's use of the material.

Still, is it worth making a big deal over???

There's no point in suing the other actor or the coach... the cost would outweigh the reward, and you'd get a bad reputation in hollywood.

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Answered on 1/28/09, 12:28 pm


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