GUILD STATEMENTS - Dramatists' Copyright & Intellectual Property Rights
It is the artistic heritage of the playwright and a long-standing principle of The Dramatists Guild of America that the dramatist owns and controls the intellectual property, including the copyright, of the author's script and of all changes of any kind whatsoever in the manuscript, title, stage business or performance of the play.
The Council of the Guild has become aware that directors, dramaturgs and other theatrical collaborators have from time to time claimed copyright and other ownership interests in any such changes or contributions for which they claim to be responsible. They have attempted to establish their claims, among other means, by videotaping performances or filing with the Copyright Office the dramatist's script with changes, notations and other additions claimed by these collaborators. Such claims and actions infringe on the rights of dramatists to own and control their plays, and may inhibit the opportunities of other professionals, and audiences, to participate in the re-creation and enjoyment of the play.
Therefore, in furtherance of the artistic and legal rights supported by the Guild for its members, the Council of the Guild for and on behalf of its membership restates that no Dramatists Guild member should allow his or her script, or any taped performance of his or her script, to be used to establish or promote ownership or control by any theatrical collaborator over any claimed changes or contributions. The Council recognizes that the Guild or individual authors may be required from time to time to take actions to support the rights of dramatists to their legal rights and of the public to the unencumbered dissemination of the play, and the Council of the Guild commits itself to authorizing and supporting those actions necessary to defend and promote the rights of its members and of the public.