AP Film Writers Association, which is fed up of the growing number of disputes between story writers and producers, have made new rules that would be applicable to disputes  arising out of complaints by story writers, dialogue writers and screenplay writers.

In the event of any dispute arising out of complaints, the producers have now to shell down a minimum of Rs. 4. 5 lakh and then seek settlement of the dispute. Earlier, this amount was Rs.1 lakh. The new rule would be applicable to screenplay writers and dialogue writers as well.

There are nearly 1,000 film story writers who have taken membership of the AP Film Writers Association. The life membership is given for Rs 15,000 while the primary membership costs Rs 7,500.

The new rule also stipulates that a producer and a story writer should have a written agreement on the amount agreed and should be signed by both of them. AP Film Writers Association will soon have an agreement with the producers incorporating the new rules. There are innumerable instances of complaints by writers that the story they narrated orally was eventually made into a film without giving either credit or money to them.

Writers can now register their stories with the association for a paltry amount Rs.200. The bound scripts will have the signatures of two office bearers with the association’s seal and in the event of complaint of copying, the particular writer should bring the signed script to the office for dispute resolution.