Printable PDF verion - Writers Guild of Canada

The Writer may negotiate with such subsequent Producer that the ScriptFees previously paid for the changes and/or additional development are notto be deducted from the Production Fee to be paid to the Writer.B303B304An Option contract between a Producer and a Writer shall specify:i) The payment of the Option fee, for which the Producer is granted theexclusive right to acquire a license to produce the Script Material;ii)The Option period, including renewals, which shall not exceed five(5) years;iii) The fee for each year of the Option, which shall not be less than tenpercent (10%) per year (five percent (5%) per year in the case ofFeature Films, commencing in 2013) of the fee payable on theexercise of the Option. This amount may be prorated;iv)That the only fee(s) deductible from the fee payable on exercise of theOption are Option fees paid with respect to the first eighteen (18)months;v) The stage of development of the Script Material being optioned andwhich will be acquired on the exercise of the Option (e.g. Treatment,First Draft Script, Second Draft Script, etc.); andvi)That if the Option contract provides for assignment, the Producershall give written notice to the Writer immediately upon suchassignment.An Option contract between a Producer and a Writer of three (3) monthsor less shall be completely negotiable between that Producer and Writerand shall not necessarily be subject to the provisions of this Article. In thecase of Feature Films, this period may be six (6) months or less, for thefirst six (6) months.63