Plagiarism happens, it's happening to us

I'm not a lawyer but unfortunately ideas aren't copyright protected. And it seems like character descriptions/types are ideas. My understanding is that copyright protects the full script. If they took your script and copied characters, dialogue, plots and scenes then you might have something. It sucks and it's disappointing, yes. But plagiarizing, probably not legally.>

 

No one listens...but I'll say it again. You can LEGALLY STEAL someone else's idea. It's not called idea theft.

 

Copyright is a limited exclusive monopoly granted to you so you can sell something and make money off of it.

 

Fan fiction stuff for H. Potter, Star Trek or Star Wars...they could make up very similar characters and storylines, but they don't...they use the actual characters and the actual title...which is protected...

 

So, unless, they directly copied the names of your characters and nearly their exact attributes...there's no case...and you wouldn't have much of a case anyway unless you're already rich, because you would have to hire an lawyer to defend your copyright.

 

And having worked as a legal assistant, believe me, lawyers don't work for free...and they don't take cases on contingency...unless it's a guaranteed pay off for them.

/r/Screenwriting Thread