A quickie on a writer’s intellectual rights.
Is it acceptable for a company to own the rights to future projects, on a first refusal basis, if they already have you working on one project? We're talking about ideas, here, and not necessarily finished scripts.
Would the situation vary when looking at British writers, for example, who tend to be freelance and more independent than their American counterparts who veer towards working in teams?
Your comments please.
Yes.
Yes, but I think they would have to pay you some sort of retainer for that kind of deal.
Dan
Part of the deal with the comedy college is a first look deal for a year after I believe.
yes. what Marc P said. The Comedy College have a first refusal deal and promise to let you know within four weeks of submission which is pretty decent. A friend of mine works with a prod co one day a week and they have a similar deal with him. And when I wrote my book Hallelujah See Amazon product listing (plug, plug...) it was built into the contract that Virgin have a first look deal on the next project.
the point being that it's not uncommon but is usually for a set period of time or what have you.
I don't know he comes on here after winning his place on the comedy college and then plugs his book. Outrageous!
How does he do the fancy little link as well!
That's a great title! Have five been in touch about dramatizing it? 
If you quote his post, you'll see how to link. I think that's the ISBN number in the BB tag.
Dan
I don't know - I was laughing from page one.
Quote: Marc P @ June 27 2008, 7:43 AM BSTI don't know he comes on here after winning his place on the comedy college and then plugs his book. Outrageous!
Damn! You just stole my sitcom idea!
I would say it seems normal but I would expect it to only run for a defined period of time (in which case you can either sign the contract, refuse to sign it or argue over the clause before signing). Or perhaps just for the duration of the time you are working for them, so they know you aren't moonlighting. It's only for first refusal after all, if they say 'no' you are free to pitch elsewhere.
Surely not a bad thing to have someone interested in your work?
I've heard of worse contracts. I know someone who was working on something-or-another for Disney and in the small print of their contract it said that Disney were allowed to send out letters in his name!
Quote: Griff @ June 27 2008, 12:20 PM BSTI don't know. I just read the synopsis to Marc's book and it doesn't sound at all funny. He's obviously hasn't got the first idea about comedy.
No argument there from Micheal J!
Thanks for your comments. All very helpful.