New research from Cornell reveals that idea thieves are more likely to target concepts in their early stages of development—much earlier than creators tend to anticipate.

Creative work inherently involves a trade-off: sharing ideas is essential for feedback and growth, but it also exposes creators to the risk of theft.

The study surveyed 965 adults across three experiments, assigning some participants the role of creators and others the role of thieves. Creators believed theft was most likely in the later stages of development when ideas are more polished. Thieves, however, indicated they would prefer to strike earlier, when ideas are less defined.

Gap in perception

This gap in perception leaves creators vulnerable, as they are often most open to feedback during early stages—precisely when ideas are at their most stealable. Thieves also perceive early-stage theft as less morally egregious than taking a finished product, viewing it as borrowing or inspiration rather than outright stealing.

“Even idea thieves don’t want to think of themselves as unethical,” the researchers note. “The ambiguity of early-stage ideas gives thieves moral wiggle room, which creators tend to underestimate.”

The phenomenon isn’t confined to hypothetical scenarios. Surveys show that nearly 80% of employees report having their ideas taken by bosses, while a third have experienced theft by colleagues.

While the study doesn’t prescribe specific solutions, simply knowing the dynamics of idea theft is a good first step. Creators might consider narrowing the circle of people with whom they share their early ideas to those they trust most. By protecting fledgling concepts, they can safeguard their work during its most vulnerable phase.