If you are producing a motion picture and sought numerous screenplays, ideas, themes, plots, titles, formats, and other materials from various artistic personnel, but how can you be sure that the script submitted to you is free from intellectual property right or copy right violation? It may be possible that you may face infringement claim for submitted screenplays use in your motion picture.
It is also possible that that after the use of submitted materiel, the person, who has submitted these idea or materials may lay a claim on you for infringement of his articles or using it by you without his authorization or permission.
These reasons make it necessary to use Submission Release form, which can protect you from infringement claim or minimize the risk of such claims. The motion picture producer or studio utilizes these submission forms as a safeguard for numerous intellectual property rights violations. These claims may be based on plagiarism, infringement, confidential relationship, implied contract, unfair competition and others, due to the use of screenplays, ideas, themes, plots, titles, screenplays etc. by the studio.
In America the law is also very stringent for intellectual and copy right violation and huge claims are easily made for these infringements. Such infringement occurs when the third person uses the materials as their own without permission, whereas they are property of somebody else.
With Submission Release form duly submitted with the screenplay and other materials helps the film studio or producer are saved from paying huge claims intellectual rights violations.
Below given Submission Form template will show you the feature of such forms, which acts as a leverage for any claims or violations:
SUBMISSION RELEASE FORM
To,
(Name or Position)__________________
(Studio/Company Name)__________________
(Office No/Street)___________________
(City/State)__________________
Dear Sir or Madam:
I wish to submit for your consideration a project, all the important features of which (including the title) are
summarized by me at the end of this letter. Such summary, title and all materials that may be submitted to
you with respect thereto, including all ideas and their expression as contained therein, are hereinafter referred
to as the “Project.” In submitting the Project to you, I recognize that you engage in extensive activities in
creating, acquiring and developing literary, artistic, musical, design and other material, including stories,
ideas, themes, plots, titles, screenplays, formats, and other materials, hereinafter together called
“Materials.” I recognize that Materials which you may hereafter use may have originated with or may have
been acquired from your own employees or others and may duplicate, parallel or resemble the Project. I
appreciate your concern that an examination of the Project without a full release of liability, might expose
you to a claim of plagiarism, or claimed existence of an implied in fact contract or other claim or litigation.
Therefore, as an inducement to you to examine, and in consideration of your examination of, the Project, I
hereby acknowledge the following understandings and conditions:
1. My submission of the Project to you is voluntary, not solicited by you, and not in confidence.
There are no materials being submitted to you other than those described in the summary of the
Project at the end of this letter.
2. There is no agreement between us, express or implied, relating to your use or failure to use the
Project.
3. I will not assert against you, your affiliates, subsidiaries, licensees, assigns, officers, agents or
employees any claim based on plagiarism, infringement, confidential relationship, implied
contract, unfair competition or otherwise arising out of any alleged use by you of the Project.
4. If, notwithstanding my release contained above, I should hereafter claim that you have used the
Project, or any portion thereof, without my consent or authorization, I specifically agree and
understand that I will suffer no damages in excess of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) or _____________(amount) and that such
damages up to said limit shall be my sole remedy and shall be payable only in the event a court of
competent jurisdiction shall find that you have wrongfully appropriated the Project from me and
that the Project is original with me.
5. I warrant that the Project is original with me, that I have full power and authority to submit the
Project to you, that I have the exclusive right to grant all rights in the Project, and I hereby bind
myself and all other parties claiming under or through me to adhere fully to the terms and
conditions provided herein.
6. I have retained a copy of the Project and do not expect you to return the copy of the Project I
submitted to you. I assume full responsibility for any loss, theft or destruction of such copy while
it is in your possession or in transit.
7. If any provision of this agreement is deemed to be invalid, it shall be considered deleted here from
and shall not invalidate the remaining provisions. LDE Submission Release Form.
Sincerely,___________________________________
Signature___________________________________
Print name___________________________________
Street address___________________________________
City, state, zip___________________________________
Date___________________________________