Well, I've been doing a lot of research lately when it comes to patenting products and such, but nothing that I've come across deals with what I have on my hands: patenting your website. Now, I use that as a general term, as it seems as getting a patent is a difficult process to begin with, and even more so with something like a website. All I'm looking for is a form of protection. The reason I need this protection is because I'm going through the process of designing the website from the ground up, every single aspect about it, however it's only on paper. I lack the skills required to build the site myself, and even if I had the skills, I would need a team of workers at my side to assist in the process. Therefore, what I'm interested in doing is somehow pitching my idea to a company with the resources, and playing a full role in designing the site that way. However, I'm afraid of the same thing I expect and hope to happen, which is them fully embracing the idea. Once they like the idea and hear it in full, I don't know how much use I'll be anymore in their eyes, especially for the portion of the profits I would expect. So there's my predicament when it comes to pitching it to a company. I was thinking of possibly having the company sign a NDA before I fully unveil the website, however what's to stop them from slyfully selling the idea or somehow finding the cracks in the agreement and working outside of me? Other means of going about constructing the website would be getting a team together myself, and working together with them on constructing it. Now, in order to convince people to join my team, I'll have to tell them what the website is all about. Once again, I'm at my predicament. After they hear it, how do I know one or more of the people won't go off and do it themselves outside of me? What form of protection would I have in either situation? It doesn't have to be a patent, just a solid form of protection that would stop people from building this site outside of me. As you can see, I don't think I'm asking for too much. What I have is quite the unique and novel idea, in many different areas of the website. All I want is some form of protection. Thank you very much for your help. I will find a way to build this site in one form or another, if not I would be denying the world of something special.
Well you say you've done lots of research on patents etc, but without mentioning what conclusions you reached. You say you want advice, but you're so bound up in this big secret. At a guess, I'd say you've devised a 'new' business application, which by the nature of business applications probably isn't . However... The fact that you're talking about a website doesn't seem very relevant to me. One certainty is that you're probably going to have to spend money if you're not going to just go to someone and say here is my wonderful idea, I want you to develop it, with me, and I want to be involved and for you also to give me a lot of money. Back to the patents bit... I would have thought that by researching on the internet, you would already have come up with a pretty good idea of whether what you are talking about is patentable or not. And if you haven't a good patent agent would very swiftly discern whether it is or isn't. However, I believe that the liklihood of someone leaping on your idea, and stealing it from you is not too likely. Andrew
Hmmm... oddly enough I have been rattling an idea around in my head which I think is quite a unique B2B twist on a very commercial industry. I do not have the skills to set up the site that would be needed nor the finances to hire the people to do the groundwork. I've been searching Google for ideas patents but ... well I am not even clear how much that would help. In order to fully research the subject, I'd have to appraoch the very businesses that are most likely to rip the carpet out from under me. It is all very frustrating.
Patents in themselves cost time and money. If you don't have the resources to make your idea a reality, do you have the resources to enforce you patent rights through lawsuits? A patent only protects you if you actively pursue infringements. Even then, it will depend on how the patent is filed that dictates the range (geographically) of your rights. ie, a US patent has no effect in the UK. This is a problem since the net is global. You may have a US patent but one day a guy in ...I dunno...France, decides to create something similar. There is no comeback for you unless you have a patent that covers that area. Patenting websites isn't unheard of but it is difficult since you need to prove the function of that site is significantly different from any other. If your idea really is that great, as soon as it hits the net there will be clones in no time. Look on any freelancer website and you'll see masses of posts where people are looking to simply recreate existing websites. I think what you will really need to sum up is whether or not it is worth the time and effort.Take a step back and be objective. Look at your idea the way others will and pick it apart. Is it honestly as great as you first thought?? Hope this helps
Hiya I've been going through a similar issue with you. I had a business partner who I included in on my idea, as he was the one with the technical savvy. Unfortunately, things went sour, and I decided to go alone ... but so did he, using my intellectual property! But since we've departed ways, even though I don't have the technical savvy - there are heaps of decent people out there who are happy to work with you on your idea without wanting to steal it ... they just want your cash to help create it!! The best thing you can do is get an IP lawyer to create a "Deed of Non-Disclosure" for your idea, and present this with each person that you need to discuss the idea with. That will protect you from having anyone use your idea. If you suspect someone has taken your idea by stealth and you can somehow prove the link ... you will have a case. World-wide patents are very expensive, and difficult to achieve unless you have invented a new technology, rather than just repackaging existing technology. I'm looking at patents at the suggestion of my lawyer, but doubt that I will go that way. If you love your idea, and you think it will work ... draw up a solid business plan. Get enough financing to get someone to do a great job on the site, and then have a solid targeted marketing plan. This is your protection. As someone else mentioned ... you will get people replicating your idea. There are many ways to market ... make sure it is coordinated and well planned in advance. Don't just create the website and hope people will use it. It will get stolen by someone with more cashola and contacts if you do it this way. The internet is great for cheap, online marketing, if you know how to use it, or know someone who does. Back yourself. Do it properly ... and if it works, it works! Good luck. I hope your idea isn't competing with mine!