I have an idea. Sorry no hints as to what it is.
How do I protect my idea before I try to contact someone to produce it?
2006-09-05 04:33:56 · 5 answers · asked by mjkinoh 3 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Television
I should have said COPYRIGHT! That's more of what I meant. I just want to protect my idea.
2006-09-05 04:48:27 · update #1
Well, a trademark isn't really what you would need for an idea for a show.
The definition of 'trademark' is:a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others.
What you probably need is a copyright.
Below are some sites to help. Good luck!
Copyright Your Work
Books, Music, Pictures and More. Fast, Reliable and Affordable.
www.legalzoom.com
Copyright Attorneys
Bateman IP Law Group protect you works from infringers
www.utah-ip.com
Copyright Your Work Now
Your copyright filed in 24 hrs & you save tons in legal fees.
www.clickandcopyright.com
What is Copyright Protection?
www.whatiscopyright.org/
Copyright Website
www.benedict.com/ · Save
2006-09-05 04:40:36 · answer #1 · answered by Yahoo! Answers Chic 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This seems to sum it up:
All original works of an author, set down
in material form, have immediate copyright protection. “Original” doesn’t mean that the work is new, fresh and innovative, but simply that it originated from the author, that is, it is not copied from somebody else.
There is no copyright in ideas or concepts, but rather in the expression of these ideas. For example, a general theme for a TV programme has no copyright, but once it is made or written down, the recording of the TV show itself, the images of fictional characters, the script and the music will all benefit from protection by copyright.
It is important that what is created is put into material form. So if someone creates a new song but doesn’t write it down or record a performance of it, they have no copyright protection. Material form does not have to be writing on paper, but can include saving it onto a disk or hard drive and recording it on
a tape or CD.
What does © mean?
So if you can obtain copyright protection just by writing something on paper why does the following, for example © Jo Smyth 1970, appear on books, drawings etc? The use of the copyright symbol does not create copyright protection but it is important to put it on creative works, for three reasons: -
• It shows who the author is, when the work was created and that the author is asserting their copyright
• It puts others on notice that they are not entitled to copy the work without the author’s permission
• It is a statement that all legal formalities have been complied with to allow copyright to exist in the work
2006-09-05 11:55:55 · answer #2 · answered by Pington 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can do this at the US Copyright Office – see the last 2 links in the source box. The application is fairly simple & the cost is $45 per application.
Despite what others state, a "poor man's" copyright is NOT the same as registering it. Here's what the US Copyright Office has to say:
"The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a 'poor man’s copyright.' There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration."
Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
2006-09-05 12:37:54 · answer #3 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't trademark an idea. Trademarks are for brand identification. What you want is copyright protection for your story, which is automatic, but can be difficult to prove. You can either register for registered copyright, or just registered mail yourself a sealed copy.
2006-09-05 11:37:25 · answer #4 · answered by rorgg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact the US patent and trademark office. Or ask a lawyer.
2006-09-05 11:36:42 · answer #5 · answered by badkitty1969 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋