The only way to secure your idea 100% is to make it happen first. An idea cannot be copyrighted as it is not a work of art but just an idea for a work of art. Screenplays or the actual end product of an idea would be the actual work of art that can be copyrighted. But even if you have a copyrighted screenplay, copyright law clearly states that if a similar concept reaches the market that was conceptualized after the original copyright but was NOT influenced by the original, then there is no copyright infringement. To clarify further, lets assume you are the inventor of post-it notes and you properly submit and copyright a clearly defined concept along with a prototype but are not yet into production. A year later, another person from another country that had the same concept WITHOUT BEING INFLUENCED in any way, directly or indirectly and launches it into the market, copyright law states that there is no wrong doing. In this analogy, the concept would be the idea, the prototype would be the screenplay and entering the market would be when your movie is on the screen.
Given that no idea can ever be picked up without exposure, acting fast and getting it out to the right people first (the right way) can make a huge difference. MoviePitcher has developed the first protocol with thorough procedures that enables exposing ideas to studios, networks and production companies while adhering and complying to copyright legislation. This results in minimal risk for our clients both proactively as well as retroactively.
You do not need to copyright or take any other action before submitting your idea. We will issue you a registration certificate as part of the Start Pitching Package.