Screenplays can be stolen, but it is not a common occurrence. Most screenplays are protected by copyright law, which gives the creators of original works exclusive rights to their creations. This means that someone who wants to use a screenplay without permission could be sued for copyright infringement. However, there are ways that screenplays can be stolen or used without permission. For example, a person might steal a screenplay by copying it without the permission of the author and then passing it off as their own. This is called plagiarism, and it is illegal. Another way that screenplays can be stolen is through "script theft," which is when a person or company claims to be interested in producing a screenplay but then takes the ideas and concepts from the script without actually using the script or paying the author. This can be difficult to prove, and it is often up to the screenwriter to protect their work and make sure that they are fairly compensated for their ideas. There are steps that screenwriters can take to protect their work, such as registering their scripts with the Writers Guild of America, using nondisclosure agreements, and being cautious about who they share their work with.
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