How do I stand legally Jennie?

I'm working on an old script I started about 5 years ago. I've sent it to a friend to collaborate on and I'm quite optimistic.

It looks really great but the only trouble is there are a few lines that look too funny for me. I sent it to a couple of people to see about collaborating at the time but nothing came of it. However they added these lines.

It only totals three or four lines at most. I don't though have contact details for either of them and I don't know who exactly wrote what.

So what do I do? Give them a credit and as a result lose a percentage of any possible fees I may get or just put "Additional material by..." OR just keep quiet and hope they don't notice.

I think if you've made reasonable attempts to contact them and the work was done on a casual, non-contractual basis, you're pretty safe.

EDIT: I am not, as is obvious from the beard, Jennie - so my opinion is probably worthless, and more importantly, not based on any knowledge of the law

Just take the lines out. They are only lines.

My opinion is also pretty worthless as I am a criminal lawyer. My initial impression is that there are a lot of ifs here - if you sell the script, if you make lots of money (thus being worth suing), if those lines don't end up being cut before production..etc..etc.

I think you're probably OK.

What are the lines?

Quote: Marc P @ 12th August 2014, 8:45 PM BST

What are the lines?

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The collection of words containing dialogue but that's not important right now.

Quote: Jennie @ 12th August 2014, 8:13 PM BST

My opinion is also pretty worthless as I am a criminal lawyer. My initial impression is that there are a lot of ifs here - if you sell the script, if you make lots of money (thus being worth suing), if those lines don't end up being cut before production..etc..etc.

I think you're probably OK.

View original

In other words get caught shoplifting and you can offer legal advice.

If you pay me.

And to be honest, I specialise in sex offences.

Quote: Lee @ 12th August 2014, 8:57 PM BST

The collection of words containing dialogue but that's not important right now.

View original

Ah. I have lines going straight across the page and I try and fit the words neatly between them. But I am a crap writer.

Quote: Jennie @ 12th August 2014, 9:00 PM BST

And to be honest, I specialise in sex offences.

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And who gets you off?

Quote: Marc P @ 12th August 2014, 9:03 PM BST

A

And who gets you off?

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Does that chatup line work with the queen.

Nothing works

Quote: Marc P @ 12th August 2014, 9:12 PM BST

Nothing works

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Quote: Marc P @ 12th August 2014, 9:12 PM BST

Nothing works

View original

Don't worry Phil'll be dead soon then's your chance you rogue.

As it is and I'm sure someone more knowledgable than me will correct me.

But the actual script you send will almost never get made. Either they'll ask you to work on another project, or it'll be so edited and focus grouped it'll be unrecognisable.

Just worry about getting the very best, most eye catching script that most reflects what the prodco wants to be doing.