Legal Question in Intellectual Property in California

Protecting a website idea.

I have developed a website idea similar to Facebook, but much much different. How do I protect the idea so that it is not stolen as I gather investors and business parters?


Asked on 7/16/08, 8:06 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Robert Preskill Robert Preskill

Re: Protecting a website idea.

I don't want to sound patronizing, but the way to protect an idea is to call an attorney who is hired to protect ideas. In particular, you can protect ideas by patenting the technology, patenting the process, developing contracts that bind everyone you talk with (if they sign them first), exploring what needs to remain a secret and keeping it a secret, creating paper trails with those you are approaching for help, copyrighting code, copyrighting text including proposals, business plans, trademarking names associated with the product, signing the right people to your company, and using pure old fashioned momentum. Doing just one of these things will not work. You need to do them all. And you need working capital and the right people and resources to develop momentum.

So, feel free to call me at 4153773919 to discuss some more about the basic approach. I hope this helps.

Sincerely, Robert Preskill

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Answered on 7/16/08, 8:32 pm

Re: Protecting a website idea.

You need an NDA (Non disclosure agreement), to start with.

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Answered on 7/16/08, 8:41 pm


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