[jacquesm]

It's much simpler than that actually, copying subtitles is a direct infringement on the rights of the script writer.

Whether someone read the script to you over the phone and you copied it down or you took it from the movie makes no difference.

No need to get into derived works.

[cduan]

(No one's going to read this comment, but we might as well get it right.)

It is a derivative work when you transcribe subtitles because you put in your own creative (and copyrightable!) elements into it. You choose how to represent sound effects, how to disentangle crosstalk, how to transcribe dialect, and so on.

So, if the movie creator decided to rip your subtitles off and sell them, you could actually sue the movie creator!

As a practical matter, it makes little difference. Most judges won't parse this finely, and you are equally liable whether under the copying or derivation right.

[jacquesm]

Interesting, but that's a really thin layer to argue your 'original contribution' over. I think the script writer would have a pretty good case.

And hey, at least one guy read your comment :)