Chain of title checklist

Underlying rights

• Option or purchase agreement for the book, play, article, life story or other source material
• Proof the grantor owned what they granted (publishing contract, earlier assignments)
• Option exercised and purchase price paid, with a signed exercise notice or assignment

Writers and creatives

• Signed writer agreements assigning copyright in every draft to the production company
• Agreements for anyone else who contributed material: co-writers, script editors, researchers
• Director and key creative agreements with the rights and consents you need

Releases and licences

• Life rights or depiction releases for real people portrayed
• Interviewee, location and contributor releases
• Licences for archival footage, stills, artwork and music

Company and records

• The production company named consistently across every document
• Any assignments between related companies documented in writing
• Copyright registrations or notices required in other territories
• A record of any AI tools used and the human contribution to the work

This guide is general information only and is not legal advice. Speak to us about your project.