Protection of new business ideas

ikoonman

Hi

If I had an idea for a software product to be developed which can potentially have a significant impact on the IT world, where would I start in approaching companies/people for funding the idea? More importantly, how do I protect my idea from being "taken" if someone thought it is actually viable? The proof of the idea is not so much buried in software, it is more a concept.

I have thought of approaching Enterprise Ireland and getting their help but like I said its more the idea that needs protecting, so I am a bit hesitant in that regard.

Any suggestions?

Ps. Sorry if this is the wrong forum.

Regards

bobbytables

Have you proven the concept? or it still just a theory. If you have a clear plan as to how you could attain proof of concept you could always approach EI for assistance.

Best of luck

DaSilva

I think one of the ways of protecting it, is making it first and then pitching to investors for money to market it. The protection is then in the form of the work needed to imitate the idea. If they believe it's a worthwhile idea, it's cheaper for them to invest in your implementation than go through the whole process of making it themselves.

Disclamer: I have pretty much zero business experience.

ikoonman

My concern is that the concept is really very simple - pretty much like Google. If Serge and Larry came to you asking for money, and you understood that their technology is based on existing methodologies, just implemented in a slightly differently way, would you have give them the money or try to get the idea launched yourself? Now, Google's technology has become quiet complex, but the concept was so simple that it's one of those things where you go "... no why didn't I think of that?"

antoinolachtnai

Just to clarify, Sergei and Larry changed everything. It wasn't just a trick like pagerank, their engine was completely different and was able to scale to an extent that the other players couldn't come close to matching at the time, even with vast budgets.

TheCostumeShop.ie: Ronan

An idea without any implementation isn't worth much. If it's patentable then talk to an IP lawyer. Enterprise Ireland probably won't rip you off, they deal with this thing all the time.

I'd say just make it happen, first mover advantage and innovation will be much more beneficial than spending years fighting patent rulings.

Remember Sony invented the VCR then spent years fighting Hollywood's objections in the meantime competitions won over the standard for recording video tapes.

bigneacy

Just to be clear- I have never tried this myself and I am not a solicitor, therefore I do not know the legality of this and whether it would stand up in court

My friend was once an aspiring musician, had a great sound, great voice and a great look. He was on his way to getting signed, probably would have been the next big thing had he not decided, suddenly, on a whim, to throw it all away and go and smoke drugs in the scottish highlands for 4 years. (thats a story for another day)

He used to "copyright" his songs by recording the song, writing the lyrics, chords and everything else associated with the track - put the date and his signature on them, pop it all into a sealed envelope and post it to himself.

If it ever turned out that someone stole his song or whatever he had this sealed evidence of the date and ownership of his song (which was also officially dated by the post office) that he could show the judge or whoever needed to see the evidence...

Perhaps you could do something like this, as as backup in case you run into some devious characters?