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Very difficult.

Tens of thousands of scripts are registered each year, not to mention past years still in circulation. Having an agent to represent you is important because some studios/production companies won't see unrepresented work. Having contacts and connections is important as well, knowing the right people goes a long way. There are also screenwriting contests that can bring attention to your work. Getting represented, then getting your screenplays read, then if you're lucky enough to get it purchased, there's still the challenge of it even getting made. So even if someone gets their script sold, there's a good chance it will never be produced.

You register your screenplay with the Writers Guild of America, so if you ever feel someone stole it you have proof of ownership. It's harder to protect an idea, though. If I tell you I have an idea for a race of blue people in a distant planet where the US is mining for resources, then you write Avatar... I don't really have a case. If I show you my screenplay and you take my plot, characters, dialogue, etc. and it's registered then I have a legitimate case.

I say if you have an interest in it, pick up a couple books.. "Screenplay" by Syd Field, "Save the Cat" by Blake Snyder, (I've read those two personally and they're great, Field is basically the standard book for screenwriting... and I haven't read it but it's been recommended, "Story" by Robert McKee.

I read Save the Cat in a day, he does a great job of breaking it down simply and he draws from some of the most popular books out. If you're interested, give it a read. Even if you don't try to do anything with it, the very act of writing and finishing is a huge accomplishment.