Billy Pilgrim
Stye in my eye
"Right now it's only a notion, but I think I can get money to make it into a concept ... and later turn it into an idea."
copyrighting an idea?
- Thread starter Ratzy
- Start date
Nathan.Buxton
Well-known member
Yes, true. A patent requires all of those to demonstrate the idea's originality and design. Technically you aren't patenting the 'idea' of the machine, device or technology, you are protecting against people making devices or technology that isvery simillar to yours in function and design.
its, as many have said, a grey area, but a patent is the only thing close to "protecting an idea"
Simon Höfer
Veteran
And a patent costs you a lot of money 
First to get it and then to keep it. The longer you keep it, the more expensive it will be.
First to get it and then to keep it. The longer you keep it, the more expensive it will be.
Nathan.Buxton
Well-known member
heh ya! i'm not saying it has anything to do with screenplays, just thinking some people might be thinking they can in fact protect their bare ideas. How many reality shows can you think of that are basically the exact same ideas as others?
ZephyrStar
Active member
I'd agree with everything posted...I think maybe it's your loss for the script idea if the kid shoots it. I've also had this problem (not being able to keep my damn mouth shut :grin
and during that process have actually learned that I'm really good at coming up with "original ideas." I would have an idea, tell somebody else, and they'd be like "man, that's the most amazing thing I've heard, here, tell this guy here" Guy 2: "wow that would make such a kickass movie, dude you should totally sell that" After realizing this, I keep my mouth closed TIGHT. Obviously this is a catch 22, as getting feedback and criticism on your stuff is essential to make it better or to help you realize things you may have overlooked. I'm planning on doing this after I have it down on paper and have taken care of the legal way of copyrighting a script (something I still am rather clueless about)
I'm just now learning how to actually communicate them in script form. I'd suggest doing the same. If you're weak in that area but have kickass ideas, learn how to translate them yourself. I've been reading tons of other scripts, articles, etc., but the most helpful thing I've been able to figure out yet is I'll actually get into a character and act out a scene alone and shoot it with my dv cam. It really helps you figure out what's a cheesy line, what's not working, what might sound really good.
Again, everything is kinda experimental for me at the moment, but I think I might be on the right track.
As for dragging the kid's name in the mud, I wouldn't do that. Just let Karma handle it, and approach him calmly and say "I want my name as the writing credit" he shouldn't have too much of a problem agreeing to that. Then when he hits it big, have a couple of things ready, and start showing them, saying "yeah, I wrote the screenplay for X movie." Maybe somebody buys a new one of your scripts. Let Karma do it's thing :happy:
and during that process have actually learned that I'm really good at coming up with "original ideas." I would have an idea, tell somebody else, and they'd be like "man, that's the most amazing thing I've heard, here, tell this guy here" Guy 2: "wow that would make such a kickass movie, dude you should totally sell that" After realizing this, I keep my mouth closed TIGHT. Obviously this is a catch 22, as getting feedback and criticism on your stuff is essential to make it better or to help you realize things you may have overlooked. I'm planning on doing this after I have it down on paper and have taken care of the legal way of copyrighting a script (something I still am rather clueless about)I'm just now learning how to actually communicate them in script form. I'd suggest doing the same. If you're weak in that area but have kickass ideas, learn how to translate them yourself. I've been reading tons of other scripts, articles, etc., but the most helpful thing I've been able to figure out yet is I'll actually get into a character and act out a scene alone and shoot it with my dv cam. It really helps you figure out what's a cheesy line, what's not working, what might sound really good.
Again, everything is kinda experimental for me at the moment, but I think I might be on the right track.
As for dragging the kid's name in the mud, I wouldn't do that. Just let Karma handle it, and approach him calmly and say "I want my name as the writing credit" he shouldn't have too much of a problem agreeing to that. Then when he hits it big, have a couple of things ready, and start showing them, saying "yeah, I wrote the screenplay for X movie." Maybe somebody buys a new one of your scripts. Let Karma do it's thing :happy: