software copyrights?

Question

How to ensure that if I propose an idea to a company that can improve its productivity, then it would not copy it and make the software itself by some cheaper means?

Perhaps it might be more helpful to know how many of the suggestions are useful wrt to indian copyright laws.

Answer 1

It's called a non-disclosure agreement. You need them to sign one before you pitch your idea so they can't use it without giving you credit (money probably.) The problem is, most companies won't sign one of these since it limits them in case they're already developing, or planning to develop (legitimately) a similar product to the one you'd be pitching them.

Get a lawyer.

Answer 2

Regarding such an agreement, advising a lawyer is a good idea, however you might also want to check out simply-docs.co.uk - you pay a low one-off subscription fee and then have access to hundreds of templates for agreements, contracts etc - including the kind of thing you are after.

Alternatively, you could always try to put your proposals accross in very non-specific terms - that way the client gets the impression that you know what you're doing but don't know enough to take your idea. It all depends what they want from you though.

Please note that this answer is not intended to be advertising in any way, merely pointing someone to a useful internet resource. In the interests of fairness, just do a Yahoo search for the type of document you're after!

Answer 3

Check with the US Copyright Office. The application is fairly simple & the cost is $45 per application.

Despite what others state, a "poor man's" copyright is NOT the same as registering it. Here's what the US Copyright Office has to say:

"The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a 'poor man’s copyright.' There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration."

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!