How do I protect my idea?

February 6, 2014 Jason James

Everyone always wants to know how to keep their original concepts from getting stolen. Well, I got news for you. It’s not that easy for someone to just run off and write a great movie even if they did take your idea. It’s certainly not easy to sell it. Let alone get it made. Just ask anyone who’s been trying for a year. Or seven. Or more. And it’s easier to fit a small rhinoceros into a toaster than to sell just a concept on its own. You know how many spec screenplays are registered with the WGA each year? Around 50,000. You know how many scripts are bought each year? Around 50. You do the math. This is to say nothing of the fact that there are really only seven plots anyway. Chances are your idea has been done. Somewhere. Somehow. Someway. It’s all about what you do with it. How you make it your own. So do that. As best as you can. Then throw caution to the wind. Get it out there to anyone and everyone who will read it. Enter it in festivals. Contests. Poetry slams. Get it to anyone in the business who can get you in the door. Don’t insist on NDA’s. Remember, producers and agents and executives all have mountains of scripts piled all over their desks and couches and air conditioning units and are looking for any reason not to read them. So don’t put up any roadblocks. If you’re going to insist on anything, insist on buying them lunch, or chocolate, or a new refrigerator if they read your work. If, however, you do want to sleep soundly at night knowing your work is indeed protected, all you have to do is this…

Trust me, trust them. They’ve been protecting ideas just like yours since 1927. It takes 3 minutes. Costs $20 bucks. And anyone can do it. Should you copyright it, patent it, mail a certified copy to yourself? No need. Once you register it with the guild, it’s stored for five years. If after five years you haven’t been able to do anything with the idea and you’re still afraid of it getting stolen, check yourself into a facility. Or re-register it again. Then at least you'll know it's safe and sound for another five years. Sleep well.