# Fuck Chicago Reader for having the right to steal any idea we post here **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 8, 2005, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752 "2005-12-08T21:11:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/61 "2005-12-09T03:24:31Z")
If **andrewdt85** ever had an original idea, it would die of loneliness. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/62 "2005-12-09T03:31:46Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > **andrewdt85** : not one of your ideas is worth stealing. I was reading through here waiting for this to hit. The next good idea he has is the first. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/63 "2005-12-09T03:32:31Z")
If **andrewdt85** had a brain he’d be dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/64 "2005-12-09T03:42:46Z")
> [@The Big Cheese](#): > > I will post my idea for an invention, and hope someone steals it. Colored salt! Who can see that salt on their corn or veggies when it’s white? You always put on too much or too little because you can’t see it! Make it blue (we need more blue food) or red or something. Pepper works great, it’s back. But salt?? > > Steal my idea, Reader/Doper/Lurker, I dare you! You sir, are a fucking Genius! Wow! I am so on this idea. Why stop there, though? We could color all kinds of foods. In fact, we could invent all these different colorings that could be added to all different kinds of food, market them and make millions! We’ll call it FOOD COLORING. wait a minute. Oh shit. Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/65 "2005-12-09T03:45:33Z")
Hey, I’ve got an idea! Hey! HEY!!! sumbitch ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/66 "2005-12-09T03:51:42Z")
To actually give a serious answer to the OP, I once did have an idea that whether it was good or not, did get stolen. **Lynn Bodoni** kicked ass and defended me, and put a hurtin’ on 'em. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Long\_Road](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@The\_Long\_Road](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Long_Road)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/67 "2005-12-09T04:17:27Z")
Someone stole my ideas once. Fuckers returned 'em soon as they found out just how worthless my ideas are. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/68 "2005-12-09T04:22:24Z")
It’s okay by me if the Reader wants to take my ideas. Just as long as it puts them back when it’s done with them. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/69 "2005-12-09T04:28:41Z")
> [@Happy Lendervedder](#): > I had an idea there a minute ago. Seems to be missing… _shifty eyes_ ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/70 "2005-12-09T04:42:55Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > To actually give a serious answer to the OP, I once did have an idea that whether it was good or not, did get stolen. > > **Lynn Bodoni** kicked ass and defended me, and put a hurtin’ on 'em. I’d be curious to hear details, if possible. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/71 "2005-12-09T04:46:49Z")
Q: What did one of **andrewdt85** ’s brain cells say to another? A: “Looks like we’re the first ones here!” ---
**Author:** ![andrewdt85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71e660/32.png) [@andrewdt85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewdt85)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/72 "2005-12-09T04:58:24Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > It’s okay by me if the Reader wants to take my ideas. > > Just as long as it puts them back when it’s done with them. See, in my Nintendo thread, I snapped at a few people for not reading my posts well enough- I know, I know, old habits; I promise to control it. Here we see someone not even realizing that the post _above him_ contained the same joke pretty much. Or maybe you just stole the idea :D. ---
**Author:** ![andrewdt85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71e660/32.png) [@andrewdt85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewdt85)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/73 "2005-12-09T05:01:15Z")
Yes, Scylla, please share the details; in fact, the fact that you would even post something like that and make us have to ask in order to get the details is pit-worthy; it’s not like you didn’t know we were gonna ask for specifics. Step one: intrigue them Step two: they say ‘wow! tell us more!’ Step three: tell them Stop this fucking game; we’ve seen it too often on these boards. ---
**Author:** ![Good\_Egg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/96bed5/32.png) [@Good\_Egg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Good_Egg)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/74 "2005-12-09T05:01:21Z")
As we speak, the Reader isw copying this very thread and making a book out of it! andrewt will be totally screwed, then. But they’ll call him something else, so as not to get sood. ---
**Author:** ![Good\_Egg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/96bed5/32.png) [@Good\_Egg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Good_Egg)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/75 "2005-12-09T05:02:55Z")
> [@andrewdt85](#): > > Step one: intrigue them > Step two: they say ‘wow! tell us more!’ > Step three: tell them I am so using this in my personal blog. ---
**Author:** ![andrewdt85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71e660/32.png) [@andrewdt85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewdt85)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/76 "2005-12-09T05:05:16Z")
Okay, but anyways, to clarify- yes, I realized that anyone who read my ideas on this site could theoretically steal them. But the way I saw it is- if Chicago Reader steals my ideas, there’s nothing I can do about it because they are protected legally. But if I see my idea produced somewhere, and I track down the inventor and prove in court that he is a member here (credit card payment), and even that he participated in the thread in which I posted that idea, then I thought maybe I could sue that person. But of course I realize several things are wrong with this scenario: 1.) What if the guy wasn’t a member? Just a lurker, guest, someone linking in from somewhere else, etc. 2.) What if he didn’t post in that thread? Even so, I’d still have a case, but still… 3.) I don’t know if stealing an idea you hear or read is against the law Please let me know about number 3 above. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/77 "2005-12-09T05:15:27Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Man… you must have absolutely rockin’ “inventions, games, and story plots” stored away to justify this level of concern! Oh please give us just a taste of the succulent fruits in your forbidden cornucopia of creativity. I just know they’re not derivative or lame because a totally cool guy like you would only have primo ideas natch. I’m sweating just thinking of all the cool stuff you’ve got locked away in that brain of yours. Well I have this great idea for a SciFi book! It takes place on Earth in the future, where technology has run amok and everything is mechanized and shit. Nobody can do anything without the government recording it and everyone is distant and lonely. Then, to top it off, the robots get sick of being man’s slaves and they wage a war against the humans. It is really a subtle allegory for our life in the 21st century, but it will be hard to notice with all the outrageous battle scenes. Oh, and the women are all redheads with large breasts; dressed-up in latex nurse uniforms. I also have a great idea for a game. Actually, it is the same idea. ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/78 "2005-12-09T05:20:54Z")
> [@andrewdt85](#): > > Okay, but anyways, to clarify- yes, I realized that anyone who read my ideas on this site could theoretically steal them. > > But the way I saw it is- if Chicago Reader steals my ideas, there’s nothing I can do about it because they are protected legally. But if I see my idea produced somewhere, and I track down the inventor and prove in court that he is a member here (credit card payment), and even that he participated in the thread in which I posted that idea, then I thought maybe I could sue that person. But of course I realize several things are wrong with this scenario: > > 1.) What if the guy wasn’t a member? Just a lurker, guest, someone linking in from somewhere else, etc. > 2.) What if he didn’t post in that thread? Even so, I’d still have a case, but still… > 3.) I don’t know if stealing an idea you hear or read is against the law > > Please let me know about number 3 above. If I say…hey, I’ve got this great idea about a bunch of mostly-unemployed people living in an apartment in New York and they keep trying to find ways to pay their RENT and they sing a lot… And then someone writes RENT, I can’t sue. Ideas are not copyrightable. EXPRESSIONS of an idea are. If I posted my screenplay for critique and someone completely ripped it off, assuming I could prove A) that I’m my screenname, and B) that I created mine before he created his, I think I’d have a case. Of course, I don’t know how easy it would be to prove both of those things, and it would probably be easier for someone to modify your completed script enough to avoid copyright infringement. ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/79 "2005-12-09T05:25:02Z")
This is exactly why you haven’t read my posts on \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and my business ideas on \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and international exports to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ via \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ selling \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. Because the Reader is a den of thieving fuckheads. No. Wait. The fuckhead is you. ---
**Author:** ![andrewdt85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71e660/32.png) [@andrewdt85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewdt85)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752/80 "2005-12-09T05:29:08Z")
> [@Garfield226](#): > > If I say…hey, I’ve got this great idea about a bunch of mostly-unemployed people living in an apartment in New York and they keep trying to find ways to pay their RENT and they sing a lot… > > And then someone writes RENT, I can’t sue. Ideas are not copyrightable. EXPRESSIONS of an idea are. If I posted my screenplay for critique and someone completely ripped it off, assuming I could prove A) that I’m my screenname, and B) that I created mine before he created his, I think I’d have a case. Of course, I don’t know how easy it would be to prove both of those things, and it would probably be easier for someone to modify your completed script enough to avoid copyright infringement. Speaking of which, remember that Pit thread about the guy who was copyrighting the idea for the movie, and they were actually considering it? What ever happened? What’s the status; does it look like he’ll get it? It was a plot about a guy who wishes he doesn’t wake up until his college acceptance letter comes; then he comes to 30 years later (his letter got lost in the mail). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-chicago-reader-for-having-the-right-to-steal-any-idea-we-post-here/334752.md?page=5)