Well, I have an idea for a totally unique idea for a new web service, but it's just an idea at the moment. I want to hire/partner with someone and create this, but I'm afraid since I'm a minor and can't afford to pay big money, someone will pretend to work with me and just get the idea and do it themselves. Is there anything I can do to guard against this like copyright the idea until the website is complete? I found a guy to partner with so I don't have to pay anyone, but I can't tell him enough details for him to start coding until I get this copyrighted.
2007-02-16 10:20:14 · 5 answers · asked by vashp2029 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yes, I have parents. What are you talking about them stealing from me? They cannot code this, and neither can I, which is why I'm looking for someone else... I've already told my parents and they don't know how to officially copyright something since they've never done it, and I don't wanna give my idea away to possible partners without a copyright on it first.
2007-02-16 10:29:48 · update #1
1. Copyright is for original authorship and does not have an minimum age component. Copyright is automatic once it is in fixed form. In order to defend a copyright from infringement, it will need to be registered, in the USA the Copyright Office is the Library of Congress. A minor does not need an adult to perform any of these steps, let alone a lawyer.
2. Copyright is for a specific fixed item, not a "concept" or "idea". Copyright would give a degree of protection from someone making an exact clone of your website code. But the idea would be up for grabs.
3. Patents apply to concepts and ideas when you can prove you were the first to ever think of it. If you were first, then it can''t be stolen by someone who comes along later. You really need to start a notebook describing your idea as you develop and refine the concept. It needs to show dates, your signature, and that of a witness that understands what has been described.
4. The biggest problem with infringement is not patent or copyright registration, but finding the responsible party. The internet is so nearly anonymous and changes so rapidly that it most likely would end up being impossible. It would be your task to identify the culprits and then prove it was your ideas/patents that they employed, and that they were knowledgeable in doing theft, not just coming up with their own creative solutions. the cost is not getting patents, but paying out lawyers to defend them.
2007-02-19 07:37:23 · answer #1 · answered by lare 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Copyright An Idea
2016-12-14 16:32:18 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can't copyright and idea
sooner or later if it's got any good merit
it will be copied in some form and repackaged
look at napster
it was orginal
but then napster spawned many other p2p software / sites
concepts and idead cannot be copyrighted simply because they are too hard to define
however
content and mechanisms can be copyrighted
but like i said your concept will be copied if it has any merit
and if you are exclusive with content then web hacker will hack your domian, distribute the source code and any money in the enterprise will be gone as other will do it for cheaper if not free
2007-02-16 11:11:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
R your parents alive? Why would you need a stranger just because they are an adult. Are you afraid your parents would steal from you?
The copyright laws are pretty straightforward. If you are smart enough to code a website you should be smart enought to look them up on line and figure them out.
2007-02-16 10:25:14 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
YOu have to submit it to the U.S. copywrite department. In the meantime...write it down...in detail...send it to yourself Certified Mail...and don't open it...that will establish a date immediately.
Later, if someone did steal your idea..you would still have to sue them to prove it..but at least you would have documentation of when you came up with the idea..i.e. first. With the access of the internet..every idea will be stolen and redistributed..but at least you would have some attempt at recourse if you record it officially.
2007-02-17 00:29:49 · answer #5 · answered by Duke D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
copyright idea website yeat created: https://bitly.im/c15/how-do-i-copyright-and-idea-for-a-website-not-yeat-created
2015-05-02 00:51:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋