I want consultation on ideas (but I think they couldn't get a patent)....how do I gain confidentiality?

Question

So I want to talk to several people concerning a possible business venture, but I don't want my ideas stolen, leaked, etc. What specific measures can I take to ensure my ideas aren't used by those I console with?

Would a confidentiality agreement work or not? If so, how could I develop one without over-involvement by a lawyer?

Let me know any possible avenue and if possible give links that discuss this issue. Thanks.

Answer 1

First, despite what others have written, mailing your ideas to yourself does absolutely nothing to protect the ideas. Regardless of whether your ideas are regarding a patentable invention or whether they are copyrightable (i.e., lyrics) mailing to yourself secures no rights. All that this will prove is when you had the idea, but if the idea is not protected via other means then it is free for others to take and use. For more on this see:

http://www.ipwatchdog.com/protect_idea.html

What you want to do is have a confidentiality agreement in place. If you have a confidentiatlity agreement then individuals who sign are legally promising that they will not use your idea without your permission. In the absence of a patent or a patent application pending this is the best thing you can do. In fact, even if you have a patent application pending you are still better off getting a confidentiality agreement since you would have no exclusive rights until the patent actually issues.

IPWatchdog.com has a lot of information on confidentiality agreements and also has several free samples that you can download and use. See:

http://www.ipwatchdog.com/confidentiality_agreements.html

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 2

An evil conservative would start his own business to manufacture your invention, gaining recognition and market share. Once established, you can then sell the entire business to the several people you wanted to originally talk to.

Answer 3

write you specific idea (with drawings if necessary) on a simple sheet of paper...put it in an envelope and mail it to yourself BUT NEVER OPEN IT....what this proves is the date and specific nature of the origin and timeframe in which your idea was conceived...so you basically have a court_challengeable_non_existant_patent,.,.. but it holds up in court because it proves when the idea was concieved and by date, can distingiush between whose idea it may have been.

Answer 4

ran in to the same thing there is a few was to do it but u can't get through the middle men to the process, i just decided to not give them a invention was the way out-to hell with them they are croaked and that's that

Answer 5

very simple .... send yourself a registered certified letter that states your ideas....don't open it...it is dated by the post office. this proves you had the idea on at least December first 2006.