Are you a worried about having your screenplay idea stolen?
So worried that you are scared to send your script to a screenwriting agency in case they take your screenplay and sell it without giving you a dime?
If you are, don’t worry you’re not alone.
And here’s the good news, this isn’t something you need to worry about. Why?
Your Screenplay Is Automatically Protected
Anytime you send your script to a screenplay agent you are protected. This might seem a little confusing.
But, truth be told, anytime you send your screenplay to anyone you are protected. Because whether you mail the item or email the item, there is a record that you are the person that sent the original material.
It doesn’t even matter if your screenplay is registered with the WGA. Even if someone stole your screenplay and sold your script—you could take them to court and win 100% guaranteed.
The court would rule in your favor because your email or postal records would show that you were the original holder of the screenplay.
Even your computer records and the date of your saved files would corroborate this fact. So if you’re trying to sell your script or get a screenplay, this isn’t something you need to get paranoid about.
Register With The WGA Anyway
Now, I’m not suggesting that you don’t register your script with the WGA. Registering your screenplay with the Writer’s Guild of America is a smart thing to do.
It’s just an additional layer of protection and an easy reference point should anything happen to your screenplay.
But if you wrote your screenplay on a computer and you’ve saved the original files, that in itself is enough to stand up in a court of law.
From the agent’s perspective, they don’t want to steal your idea and they certainly don’t want to steal your screenplay. They want to work with you and help you sell your script.
What are the consequences if a screenwriting agency/agent stole your screenplay?
Well, to put it simply, they would most likely never work in Hollywood again. They would essentially be blacklisted.
It’s a small town and word has a way of getting around. Other screenwriting agencies would be too scared to work with the agent in question. And other screenplay agents wouldn’t want to have their name tarnished by association.
While there have been cases of ideas being stolen—it is not by producers or screenplay agents.
It is by… yep, that’s right, other screenwriters.
Don’t Sweat It
There have been various court cases for example the movies The Terminator and The Island that were found to be based on previously published/written material.
The studios behind both of these productions were taken to court and had to shell out a lot of money to the original concept creators.
It is most certainly true that the real threat to intellectual property comes after your material has been produced. It comes once you’ve sold your script and long after you’ve found a screenplay agent to represent you.
But again, no need to worry. These disputes are generally easily resolved.
In the meantime, quit worrying and keep writing!
*Jennifer Sloane has worked as a screenplay agent in Los Angeles and Nashville for the last five years. Jennifer loves good movies, music and animals. A former television and movie executive, Jennifer currently heads business development at Script Mailer (a company that connects screenwriters with agents and producers in Hollywood).