I doubt anyone here would rip you off. And from what I understand, a post here could serve as evidence in court if they did. (I.e., it's proof you had the idea first.)
If I'm asking for advice on a story idea, don't tell me it can't be done.
What the above poster said is correct. I'd also like to remind you that ideas are cheap and it's how you apply them that matters.
Also known as Katz
People on here have posted detailed outlines, character descriptions, artwork, excerpts, and what have you and nobody's ever had any trouble, that I know of. I've posted links to a completed novella. Everyone on here already has ideas; no one's just trolling for new ones.
Besides, if someone does rip you off and writes some random piece of crap that nobody reads, so what? You're only in trouble if someone writes a story better than yours and publishes it before you do, an astronomically unlikely occurrence. And then, yes, you have this blog to prove it was your idea first.
Ideas and concepts cannot be copyrighted. If you post your ideas, there is always the chance that others that find your ideas will find them appealing, borrow some parts of your ideas, be inspired, or rarely, even rip it all wholesale. However, this is really a negligible worry, since being inspired by parts of other ideas is extremely common, and as for ripping completely, most people are only interested in developing their own ideas and stories.
To top it off, even if someone did steal another's ideas completely, Sturgeon's Law is still in effect. It will most likely be subpar, especially so if they're completely copying detailed ideas from another person. It is very largely execution that matters in terms of the quality of a product's end result, so I wouldn't worry.
<3 ali
My iMood
Nemesis
I can do nothing but agree with all of the above.
There are people who will steal your actual words, of course, and pass themselves off as their own; it's happened on ff.net and fictionpress fairly often, and other places too. Having posted your copy visibly first somewhere else tends to be a good defense, there.
If you don't intend to put your final work online you don't have to worry, there.
A brighter future for a darker age.
I'm writing a series of graphic novels right now, and I'd love to get some opinions, but something is bugging me.
How much info can I post, exactly, without worrying about someone ripping me off? My worst fear is someone stealing my ideas.
Well, actually, my worst fear is being turned into a human potato, but that's my worst RELEVANT fear.
edited 18th Oct '10 8:27:41 AM by punchy