Before you share your screenplay with anyone, it’s crucial to understand how to protect your original work.

• Protecting your original screenplay:

You automatically get copyright protection when you create your screenplay, registering it with the U.S. copyright Office strengthens your legal position, also registration provides proof of authorship and creation date which is crucial if you need to prove ownership in the future.

Registering your screenplay with the WGA creates a timestamped record of your work, which can be helpful in proving ownership if needed. While not legally binding like copyright, it can provide valuable evidence in a dispute.

• Protecting your film idea:

You can’t legally protect an original film idea itself, Ideas are generally not considered too abstract and not sufficiently “fixed” in a tangible form to be protected by copyright. And the best way to protect your film idea is to develop it into a concrete screenplay. Once you have a written screenplay, you can then seek copyright protection for the specific expression of your idea in that written form.

Maintain a detailed record of your screenplay’s development, including dates, drafts, and any notes. This documentation can help establish your ownership and the timeline of your work. If you share your screenplay or idea with anyone, consider having them sign an NDA to legally prevent them from disclosing your ideas to others.

In the end, taking the necessary steps from the beginning to protect your film idea is essential. Registering your screenplay and using a confidentiality agreement can help safeguard your creative vision and hold those that you share your work with accountable.