The problem laying claim to ideas is that there's no clear decisive way to determine how much of an idea is yours when comparing it to someone else's idea.

Unless the scenes are word-for-word with something you wrote, you just have to chalk it up to coincidence.  It's another thing if the plots are the same, or if scenes are word-for-word.  Similar stories, on the other hand, is a common occurence.  


Phil

call them out on it.  If you feel, or are concerned that,  someone is using your idea, call them out on it.

well now I'm kinda curious who it is. Is it from a script you've written?

Is it from the one that is posted on here?  I just looked at it.  You have a lean writing style.  At least from the pages I skimmed over.

Wait. You're the dude from the comment on writing passive (in the Get Some post)! That cracks me up!  

Regardless, I'd still call them out privately on it.  That's me though :)

Weren't you telling me in that post that people should not use 'ing' in their scripts?

My opinion is that it's all been done before. People like to think they've got some kind of masterpiece on their hands and it's worth a million. I understand that.

Thing is, what's more important is developing the skill to write consistently well and be able to spin good tales.

I would think it might take thousands of kicks at the can to achieve "remarkable status". And when you're that good, I don't think you're worried about someone stealing something because "There's plenty more where that came from."

Yet, having said that, anyone who would want to steal someone's work is not a writer. A writer takes joy in the challenge and expression. Even if they're so pro that it becomes boring, they're still working on developing. (Hopefully)  :)

Sandra

We're talking about the potential theft of someone's work here, yet none of the members who actually have the power to do something about the issue have pitched in, here. We need some sort of security here at SS.