Copyright protects your expression of an idea, not the idea itself. If someone copies your work or breaks a contract, that’s different from “stealing” a concept. Focus on creating tangible output, using NDAs, and registering copyrights when needed.
The story
Ever get that tight-chest thought: “If I tell anyone my idea, they’ll steal it”?
That’s your nervous system doing what it’s built to do – scanning for threats. But here’s the U.S. legal reality, and it usually calms people down: copyright doesn’t protect an *idea*. It protects the *expression* of an idea. A concept in your head isn’t something you “own” under copyright.
So when people say, “they stole my idea,” they often really mean, “they copied my work,” or “they used my pitch without paying.” Those are different issues. Copying your *expression* can be copyright infringement. Using your pitch can turn into a *contract* problem if there was an agreement – sometimes even an implied one – that you’d be paid.
The myth is that “idea theft” works like someone grabbing your wallet. It doesn’t. Patents protect inventions. Trademarks protect brand identifiers. Copyright protects creative expression. Pure ideas are basically free-range.
If you want less paranoia and more control, focus on what actually matters:
– Put it into a script, design, plan, or code [expression beats concept].
– Use an NDA when you’re sharing sensitive details.
– Make sure contractors assign their work to your company.
– Register key copyrights if you might need to enforce later.
I built Creative Robot [not a physical robot] for this exact shift: from raw idea to protected, usable expression. First month is free. Build fast. Sleep better.
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