"How do I protect my work from being stolen?"
This is one of the most common questions I'm asked in class. The real truth? There is no sure-fire way to guarantee you will not be ripped off. Comforting, eh? But if that is true, another real truth is that the fear of having your script or idea stolen is greatly exaggerated. Does it happen? Yes, but so do earthquakes in LA. Meaning, Art Buchwald aside, it's not an every day occurrence and surely not something to worry excessively about.
In fact, your script is considered copyrighted as soon as you finish it and present in a public forum. But the trick, if it comes down to it, is proving that you had that unique expression of an idea (ideas can't be copyrighted, only your unique expression of them) at a certain moment in time. To do that, it is wise to do one of two things,if not both: register it with the Writer's Guild of America and get a U.S. copyright. Do both of them and then follow "safe scripting", meaning don't send your labor of life and love to post office boxes listed in ads in the back of VARIETY, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER or NATIONAL ENQUIRER and make sure any agencies you deal with are signatories to the WGA, and you will have done all you can to protect your work.
Writers' Guild of America
Writers Guild of America is the guild that, naturally enough, covers screenwriters. In America, of course. While their website is a good one, don't expect too much from the Guild itself; if you are not a member, they are not actively helpful to you. Not that they go out of their way to be mean, they just don't give the guidance or information you may wish. Still, they are one of the two places you can go to protect your material from being stolen and that is a very valuable service. And if you ever get to be a working member, they have a wonderful health plan.
Writers Guild of America 
Library of Congress
The WGA's registration deals specifically with the movie business and the Guild has its own arbitration system set up to oversee disputes, but there's nothing like a good ol' � stored deep within the bowels of the Library of Congress to make you sleep a tiny bit better at night. Besides, the Guild's registration is only good for ten years; a U.S. copyright is good for... Well, I'll be honest, I always forget, but it's good for your life, plus many more years. These are the only two things you can really do to protect your work, so do them and get it done.
Other organizations will be forthcoming as I add to this list. As always, any and all suggestions are encouraged!
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