Protecting an Idea

[williell]

I have an excellent idea for a non-profit, and I need to find someone to help develop a website. Does anyone have a non-disclosure agreement that I can use to protect my idea?

 

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[dkt91]

Are you afraid the web developer could steal your idea? I don't think you have to. If he was interested/talented in starting a non-profit he wouldn't have became web developer.

Don't know who said this (I think it was Russ_H): "Ideas are cheap but to take action is priceless".

 

[Nathan]

Yea, most people really won't care about your idea. I don't think they'll put as much thought about it as you're thinking. Especially when they hear the words non-profit. You could tell 100 people exact steps how to be wealthy. One would probably follow the steps.

 

[mtnman]

Implement the idea A Fast As Possible, that's how you protect it. Become a major player in the market space.

(not that you shouldn't consider what your asking, but big picture wise, those things have an ending until you have something tangible... kinda like walking the plank; the board runs out)

 

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[FreeYourMind]

I agree that it is unlikely the idea will be stolen, but I've too been in a situation where I'd rather be safe than sorry. I have an NDA that I've used in the past just for some reassurance (found it on the web). With that being said, I'm not sure how 'good' it is, but I'll email it to you. If you are still seriously concerned and want true protection, get an attorney involved.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Here's a good article ...

The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur | “Don’t Share Your Big Idea Because Investors Will Steal It” (And Four Other Stupid Misconceptions)

 

[andviv]

I'm a developer. People hire me to implement their ideas.

Two major points to make:

1) I don't have time to implement other's ideas. That is not my business.

2) A Non-Disclosure agreement is just that, I promise I won't disclose it with anybody else. But, unless the agreement also establish some type of non-compete, then I don't think it is that strong. AND, if it has a non-compete then I WON'T sign it. There are more clients waiting. Why I will not sign it? Because, if it is something I am already working on, by signing this I just kill my own project.

If you have a real concern about this then I suggest you only discuss you ideas with developers that others recommend to you, so you can trust them up to certain point.

 

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[LAbull]

Here's a good article ...

The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur | “Don’t Share Your Big Idea Because Investors Will Steal It†(And Four Other Stupid Misconceptions)

So obvious and something that is quite revealing:
". Writing A Business Plan Improves Your Chances For Success – That 200-page document you labored over (or paid through the nose for) is bad for the environment: a total waste of trees. Despite your best intentions, you will never review your business plan again. A business plan is pure fiction, right down to the five-year revenue projections. Why would you waste your time writing a fictional account of your business, when you could be launching it?"

 

[LAbull]

I have an excellent idea for a non-profit, and I need to find someone to help develop a website. Does anyone have a non-disclosure agreement that I can use to protect my idea?

I have a 3 page NDA/Non Compete/Non Circumvent if you are interested.

PM me and let me know.


Every webdesigner I have worked with signs this.
Every video editor I have worked with signs this.

I agree that VC's won't generally run away with your idea and steal it but
I have found that people have big mouths and if the idea is good enough
why not have someone sign it.

If someone will not sign a non compete then find out why and and make changes in the contract that suits both of you.

Just my 2 pesos.

 

[TaxGuy]

Too many good posts and sorry if I didn't hit on all of them, but here goes-

Don't know who said this (I think it was Russ_H): "Ideas are cheap but to take action is priceless".

That's MY favorite quote

And yes I believe Russ said it first on here.

Implement the idea A Fast As Possible, that's how you protect it. Become a major player in the market space.

What I learned from From Patent to Profit that is applicable is, business is like inventing and as far as patenting goes this country is a "first to invent" not "first to file" which means when the patent is being filed it is not the guy who put in the papers and just sat back and waited for someone else to invent the item before they invented it and took it to market themselves, BUT the person who actually has record of actually inventing which is why documenting your progress is key in any trademark/patent infringement cases. How this relates is that as long as you work on and implement your business FIRST, then no one can steal it and if someone does steal your marketshare and competes then it is upon you to take it back!

And oh yea, it also discusses that if you have outside help, such as engineers and design personnel work on your project that they sign a non-disclosure and in some cases non-compete document.

Here's a good article ...

The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur | “Don’t Share Your Big Idea Because Investors Will Steal It†(And Four Other Stupid Misconceptions)

Great read! I know I have become much more open about discussing ideas since I got more active her, in fact the only thing holding me back is that I haven't put enough time into any of them to really get the input I'm looking for as opposed to being afraid that someone is going to steal it :smxB:

With that in mind the theme of Feb is gonna be "get the ball rolling!" while I'm still trying to close out January to the theme "get some plans together"

I'm a developer. People hire me to implement their ideas.

Two major points to make:

1) I don't have time to implement other's ideas. That is not my business.

2) A Non-Disclosure agreement is just that, I promise I won't disclose it with anybody else. But, unless the agreement also establish some type of non-compete, then I don't think it is that strong. AND, if it has a non-compete then I WON'T sign it. There are more clients waiting. Why I will not sign it? Because, if it is something I am already working on, by signing this I just kill my own project.

If you have a real concern about this then I suggest you only discuss you ideas with developers that others recommend to you, so you can trust them up to certain point.

Great post Andres! I think this sums up the fact that an investor/consultant can have all the money and experience to start a business, but does not have what the entrepreneur has for that business- time and passion :coolgleamA:

 

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[williell]

Thanks for the advice and the help everyone, I think I will apply a NDA/Non Compete/Non Circumvent agreement. I will be implementing my idea soon, and look forward to showing everyone what I have thought to do.