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Who Owns Your Film Idea?

28. 10. 2026 copyright film industry

Can someone steal your film idea? When does a screenplay become protected by copyright? And what should you watch out for when negotiating with a producer?

In a new CIRG video, screenwriter Jiří Andrš and lawyer Rudolf Leška explain why copyright protects a screenplay but not the underlying idea itself. They also offer practical advice on negotiating with producers and securing fair contractual terms. Creators will learn why it is important to distinguish between remuneration for screenplay development and payment for its subsequent exploitation, and why they should avoid granting extensive rights to their work without adequate compensation.

Watch the video and explore more practical advice for filmmakers in the CIRG educational video gallery.

Cirg - about

CIRG – the Cultural Industries Research Group focuses on research into cultural and media industries, particularly on current issues, challenges, and conflicts arising from tensions between intellectual property law, the business models of cultural industries, the digitalization and platformization of cultural sectors, and changing consumer habits. The group’s name is an acronym of its English title, Cultural Industries Research Group. CIRG is an informal association of experts from media studies, intellectual property law, media law, media ethics, cultural economics and cultural management, sociology of culture, and data analysis. The group operates on the basis of project-based funding through applied research projects (TAČR, NAKI, EEA and Norway Grants, OP JAK Intersectoral Cooperation), basic research projects (GAČR, ZIF Bielefeld, OP VVV Excellent Research, DFG), as well as contract research (State Cinematography Fund, Association of Audiovisual Producers).