Copyright ownership of critiqued work

I have a sketch that I have been considering putting up for critique however my biggest concern is the copyright ownership. What is to stop people from taking my idea and using it? Do I need to have sign some sort of legal document before publishing it here?

My biggest fear is having my work stolen or being 'ripped off' financially by a production company. I am particularly fearful as I think I am really onto something with the IT sketch. It was laughed at by my wife and when she told her friend Sue the basic premise she was also reduced to hysterics.

Quote: IT David @ November 15 2009, 12:55 PM GMT

What is to stop people from taking my idea and using it?

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Nothing.
You cannot copyright an idea (or so people always say).

The only guaranteed way is to never share your stuff.
Can you trust Sue?

Other than it's never happened.

Generally you need to work out a balance between maintaining copyright, getting feedback and having your stuff seen.

Quote: JohnnyD @ November 15 2009, 12:58 PM GMT

You cannot copyright an idea (or so people always say).

The only guaranteed way is to never share your stuff.
Can you trust Sue?

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It is not only the idea I want to copyright but also the characters and the dialogue, in particular, a nice twist of a punchline. I am basically seeking reassurance that if say in six months to a years time I was watching a comedy program and saw my sketch in someone else's show that I would be able to use this critque as proof that I was the author and then start legal procceedings.

I certainly can trust Sue, she has been a family friend for ten years or more.

I don't know Sue, but are you absolutely positive you can trust her? I had a "friend" called Sue once, and she turned out to be extremely duplicitous. I'm not saying they're the same Sue, but you never know.

Wasn't that a Boy named Sue?

Rest assured, David, your dialogue is all yours as soon as you write it.

Quote: Kevin Murphy @ November 15 2009, 1:11 PM GMT

I don't know Sue, but are you absolutely positive you can trust her? I had a "friend" called Sue once, and she turned out to be extremely duplicitous. I'm not saying they're the same Sue, but you never know.

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And you read about divorcing couples Suing each other, sounds like some kind of bisexual hootchy.

Seriously I doubt anyone's gonna pinch stuff from critique, it's not viewed as a fertile breeding ground of talent.

More a septic swamp.

You'd have no right to it whatsoever. Even if you sent it to a production company and they used it, they can still say they were sent two identical sketches. This isn't as likely to happen as having it stolen from a forum, but it's still possible.
If it's that good, I'd just send it (plus one or tow others to a producer).

Quote: YesNo @ November 15 2009, 1:29 PM GMT

Even if you sent it to a production company and they used it, they can still say they were sent two identical sketches.

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Also; many Prodcos issue submission forms with this (or similar) as an 'out' ---

"I accordingly acknowledge that the materials submitted by me to XXXX may be identical with, similar
to, or competitive with materials that XXXX has developed or that may be provided to XXXX from
other sources."

It's an occupational hazard.

Post it in 'Critique' and I'll tell you (and others) if it's worth nicking.

© Copyright 2006-2009, British Comedy Guide and respective authors.

Bottom of the page, I'm sure that falls under this.

The best thing to do is post a small exert and if people like it, ask them to email or private message you to see the full piece.

Keep a record of who you show it to.

This is something you just don't really worry about.

If it happens it happens!

When you post on the board it automatically has a time and date stamp on it - that should be enough.

But as Morrace says, this problem happens even with professionals. There are numerous reports of stand up's gags being stolen.

Quote: Leevil @ November 15 2009, 2:13 PM GMT

The best thing to do is post a small exert and if people like it, ask them to email or private message you to see the full piece.

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...Hi XXXX, I really enjoyed the small excerpt you posted in Critique. Please PM me the whole thing, so I can steal that too.

Excerpt.

I wouldn't worry too much about posting it. Nobody steals anything in television.

Coughs, splutters.

Quote: don rushmore @ November 15 2009, 2:20 PM GMT

...Hi XXXX, I really enjoyed the small excerpt you posted in Critique. Please PM me the whole thing, so I can steal that too.

View original

Maybe we should stop sending stuff to this XXXX fella, he can't be trusted.

The clue's in the name. A seasoned writer will know not to trust anyone with multiple Xs...