How can i patent an idea for a website/program, and guard it from imitation?

Answer 1

Good luck. Every website on the internet has some sort of knock-off clone to it. Everything from Wikipedia to Yahoo. Nothing stays alone for long, there will always be people ripping you off.

Answer 2

It is not possible to protect ideas but rather the representation of that idea.

Without knowing what you're talking about, it's impossible to point you in the proper direction. I'll explain 3 different facets of intellectual property. Once you know that, it'll be easier for you to decide what to do next.

To protect an original invention OR a significant improvement to an existing product, a patent would be filed. Here's the USPTO's definition: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/index.html#patent

Copyrights can be obtained for things of an artistic nature. This includes, of course, poetry, films, sculptures, music, fiction, etc. But can also include things that may not necessarily seem "artistic" in the general sense of the word. Copyrights can also be obtained for advertising copy, games, software programs and blueprints, to name just a few.

Trademarks can be names of products or services, logos, slogans, packaging and even sounds and smells. In essence, a trademark can be almost anything that is used to identify a particular product or service. Registering a trademark grants the owner exclusive rights to the mark within the specified industry.

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