Protecting my idea

[sire]

I have an idea for a quiz/game show that I may later want to sell to a television company. How do I go about protecting my idea against being 'stolen' by anyone? I'm talking patents/copyrights whatever here. Any advice &/or useful information would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks

[Buenchico]

You will automatically own the copyright to anything you commit to paper (or any other recorded format). There's no formal system available (or, indeed necessary) for registering copyright:
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/copy.htm

However you can't copyright (or patent) ideas, per se.

In practice it's exceptionally hard to guarantee that your idea won't be 'borrowed' by someone else. Your best course of action might be to only reveal your idea to people who're prepared to sign a CDA (Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement):
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/cda.pdf

Chris

[sire]

Buenchico.

Many thanks for all your help, I will pursue you advice with vigour. It was my intension to have everything 'Down on paper' before presenting a fait accompli.