How to Protect Your Screenplay and Overcome the Fear of Idea Theft

💡Copyrighting your screenplay by mailing a copy to yourself or registering it with the WGA can provide evidence of when it was written.

📝Copyright only protects the execution of a script, not the concept or idea behind it.

🔒To protect your script, you may need to sign a document stating that you won't sue if someone produces a similar work.

📜The French legal term 'scènes à faire' refers to common elements that can naturally arise from a concept and are not protected by copyright.

✍️Becoming an amazing writer is the best defense against idea theft, as people are more likely to buy your script and hire you to rewrite it.

How can I protect my screenplay from being stolen?

—You can protect your screenplay by copyrighting it through methods such as mailing a copy to yourself or registering it with the WGA.

Does copyright protect the entire script?

—No, copyright only protects the execution of the script, not the underlying concept or idea.

Can someone steal my script if they have a similar idea?

—If someone has a similar idea but executes it differently, they may not be liable for infringement. However, there are legal terms that can determine the extent of similarity.

Do I have to sign documents to protect my script?

—If you want someone to read your script, they may require you to sign a document stating that you won't sue them for producing a similar work.

How can I minimize the risk of idea theft?

—Focus on becoming an amazing writer by developing your skills, creating unique and compelling scripts that are less likely to be stolen.

00:00The fear of idea theft is a common concern among screenwriters.

00:08Copyrighting your screenplay can provide evidence of when it was written.

00:10Copyright only protects the execution of a script, not the concept or idea behind it.

02:29To have someone read your script, you may need to sign a document stating that you won't sue for a similar work.

02:55Becoming an amazing writer is the best defense against idea theft.