some copyright answers
some copyright answers
(1) You own the copyright to your script as soon as you set it down on paper. Registering it for copyright protection merely provides some additional benefits, such as additional proof that the script was yours, and higher damages (money) in a court case in case you sue someone.
(2) You can register as many versions of your script as you want. Any newer version is technically a "derivative" of your first script. (Other derivative works include prequels, sequels, novelizations, even merchandising, etc.)
Because only the owner of a copyright can authorize derivative works, in some sense, once you register the first script for copyright protection, it acts as a kind of umbrella protection for all its derivative works. Although for maximum protection, it's a good idea to copyright each derivative that's significantly different.
BTW, back when I was in law school, a copyright professor told us of his pet peeve. He said that "copyright" is not a verb. One does not copyright a work. One registers it for copyright protection. Of course, most people use it as a verb. But just so you'll know.
