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I’m concerned that someone might poach my idea. How do I go about copyrighting my script?

Firstly, don’t be too paranoid. Real examples of major rip-offs are fairly few and far between. The zeitgeist is far more likely to be responsible for the fact that another script bears a resemblance to your own rather than industrial espionage. Most importantly, don’t allow the terror of someone stealing your idea to prevent you from sending your script out as (i) you’ll receive absolutely none of the feedback that your script requires and (ii) your film will never be made.
 
Many writers will sleep easier at night in the knowledge that their script is 100% safe and copyrighted. Sealing your script in an envelope and posting it to yourself is probably not the most effective method of script protection (surely you’ve seen one of those films where someone steams open a sealed envelope with the aid of a kettle?). You could, of course, send the sealed script to a friendly solicitor who may lock it up in their safe for a small charge. But the most efficient method is script registration with an acknowledged body. The Script Factory recommends the Raindance Script Registration Scheme where you can register your project for 2 years for £20.
 
SCRIPT REGISTRATION from RAINDANCE
From March 2008 The Script Factory's own Script Registration Service transferred to the safe care of our colleagues at Raindance. Raindance Registration offers screenwriters a safe, secure and trusted means of establishing ownership rights over their work. The service enables screenwriters to establish a date of registration, effectively copyrighting their work and so providing defence against any future ownership challenges.
 

What to do:
 
1. Put your script (hard copy or write-protected CD-Rom) into an envelope.
 
2. On the envelope write the title of the script, the draft number, the number of pages.
 
3. Also write the author’s name and contact details (address, telephone, email).
 
4. Then the person who sealed the envelope should sign it and write their name and contact details on it.
 
5. Put it in another envelope and send it to:
 
Script Registration,
Raindance
81 Berwick Street
London
W1F 8TW
 
together with a cheque for £20 made payable to Raindance.
(NB. This service is free to Raindance Members).
 
Your work is then protected for a two year period.
 
Please include a note with your contact details (if different from those on the envelope) and membership number if you have one.
 
If you have any further questions, please contact the Raindance office directly on 0207 287 3833. or have a look here for more details.
 

Do note that Script Registration services are not actual 'copyrighting' services. You automatically own the copyright to anything you have written and you can choose who gets to use it. Registration services are simply a convenient method of proving that you wrote your work and when you did it. In other words, we as a third party will keep safe a sealed copy of your screenplay - if you then had to assert your authorship, the sealed and registered version of your script is a good place to start.
 

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