Pay and Patent

[mania]

Hello,
I am wondering about this.

1. if i just created the characters and provide the story line, how much do i get paid if i am not involved with the process of making it?

2. how can i get my animation to be patented?

Thank you so much for your time.

[L_Finston]

1. if i just created the characters and provide the story line, how much do i get paid if i am not involved with the process of making it?It depends on your contract with the people who produce the film.

I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but it's not very likely that an animation studio would buy your character designs or story. Even if someone did buy your work, freelancers also have the problem of collecting, which isn't always easy. If you were ever offered a portion of the "net profit" of a film, TV broadcast, or whatever, I can tell you right now what that will be: $0.00. No film ever makes a net profit.

2. how can i get my animation to be patented?You can't, because patent law doesn't apply. You can patent inventions, but the cost of a patent is now far too high for most private persons. You would probably also have to hire a patent attorney to determine whether someone else had beaten you to it. Patent attorneys, unlike most artists, earn a _lot_ of money.

If you draw or write something original, you own the copyright, unless you put it in the public domain or assign it to someone else. You should put a copyright notice on anything you create in order to protect your rights. In the US, you can register copyright at the US Copyright Office. It is also possible to register some kinds of material as a trademark. This is rather expensive, however, so people don't usually do this unless they have a reasonable expectation of making money from the material in question.

In short, comics and animation can be great hobbies, but if you want to make money from them, you're probably barking up the wrong tree. Yes, some people do make a living at it. If you want to read all the arguments pro and con, I suggest you have a browse through the old threads on this subject.

Laurence Finston

[mania]

Ok, thanks for the information. I really appreciate it. I was kinda worried, however, I will try my very best to do animation. :D