Accidentally gave my Game Idea to someone....?

You were protected by copyright even before you registered it, but you will have to go after him if he attempts to produce it. Did you show it to anyone else before you sent it to him? Have them write down that they saw it and the date and time. Do you have a date stamped copy on your computer?

You could send him a non-disclosure agreement after the fact, but I doubt he will sign it.

@marinelife I have most of those things already, but a non-disclosure agreement might help :)

Also…what could I do if he steals it but makes a film or a tv show of it instead (takes the idea but puts it in a different media)?

You could still show that he stole your idea in court because of the similarities.

@oh, ok, so the use of different media would not lessen my chances of proving that it belongs to me, thanks! :)

You’re welcome. Welcome to Fluther!

He could do your video game and call it his own, because it’s his own doing. You can’t call “first” and copyright the idea and not have it produced. That’s absurd.

Furthermore he could change the scenarios and it would be his own ideas. If he said he’s done with it and has shredded it I don’t think you should worry. Are you screwed? No. Are you getting Mark Zuckerberg’d? That remains to be unseen.

You had better get to putting your idea to good use instead of leaving it in “heresays” world.

@_Whitetigress you can copyright something without it being produced, it would be classified as an unpublished work.

but yeah, I see what youre saying.

If your idea is written down it is protected.

I really wouldn’t worry much. Game companies aren’t hurting for ideas, there are thousands of talented people in the industry all with awesome ideas. There is only so much manpower and resources to invest in game development—not to mention they don’t want to flood the market and compete with themselves.

Ideas are a dime/dozen. It’s the successful execution of the idea that’s difficult and valuable.

@AntJR Now you can really see what I’m saying.

Create your video game now. Before yours becomes the rip off story of his if he’s even making it.

Or plan for a new career like these twins did

Don’t get Zuckerberged