great advice! thanks scott.

The advice I got from an IP lawyer was this: Register the copyright before anyone sees it. Whether it is an agent, a professional reader, a studio. Until it is ready to be seen by other eyes don't waste your money.

He confirmed that WGA registration, while great for credit disputes and advised for that reason, are bunk in terms of statutory damages in court. As is the so called 'Poor Man's' trick of mailing it to yourself. It is too easy to steam an envelope etc to make that move worth anything.

The other thing he told me was also that in almost every case you have to prove that the other party had contact with your document. So keep copious records of who get what and when. If you converse by email, file it away. That message from Scott (for example) confirming that I"m sending "The best movie script ever" to him could prove to be very important when he steals my masterpiece.