A standard contract designed to protect the rights and interests of movie screen writers has been developed with cooperation from the government, promising positive changes in the advancement of writers’ rights. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 22 (Korea Bizwire) - A standard contract designed to protect the rights and interests of movie screen writers has been developed with cooperation from the government, promising positive changes in the advancement of writers’ rights.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism revised the standard contract drafted by the Korean Film Commission in 2012. Clauses related to the protection of copyrights when content is syndicated and profit sharing when a movie is a success have been added to the revised version.
In addition, production companies will be limited to holding the rights to make a movie from a screenplay for a period of five years. Also, even when a project is cancelled, writers should receive payment for the work completed up to that point.
Officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism explained the process of revision. “All of the interested parties, such as the Korean Film Producers Association, and producers’ associations participated and shared their thoughts in the revision. There was no difference of opinion when it came to improving working conditions writers. Previously, the payment standards for writers according to the success of a movie were not clear. However, the new contract includes a ‘running guarantee’, which is a term that means that payments will be made if the movie is a success.”
However, only 12.5 percent of the total movies shot in 2012 featured agreements based on the Korean Film Commission’s standard contract. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is planning to make it an obligation to use the new standard contract, particularly for movies that receive investment from government sources.
The ministry also plans to promote the usage of the new standard contract in various ways.
By Francine Jung (francine.jung@kobiamedia.co.kr)
