How to go about protecting my cartoon idea from all directions?

Cage: How to go about protecting my cartoon idea from all directions?
Alright so I have an idea for a television cartoon that I think is really great (Dont we all lol). I just want to know is there a way to copyright/patent the characters look, story plot and if possible character voice and personality? I just want to protect the crap out of the idea, since I’ve heard of situations where a company will turn the idea down telling the creator they arent interested, then turn around and basicly steal the idea and use it anyways without paying the guy who gave them the idea.

Answers and Views:

Answer by nikki.fira
I’ve had a situation similar to this. (wanting to protect an idea). Sadly, you can only copyright names, character designs and exact words. Actual plots or ideas cannot be copyrighted. (Ex- Dracula and Vampires, REPO! and Repo Men). Unless someone takes the story literally word-for-word, there is no actual way to keep someone from taking your plot/idea. Even character designs can be a bit tricky to copyright due to parody and slight changes.