Copyright Information

barry711

I have a really good idea that has the potential to make good money, yet I'm frightened at the same time that if I send it out to companies they will steal it and claim it as there own, as copyright does not protect your ideas. How would I ensure my safety from such an action in legal terms?

Also does the law of copyright in Ireland cover intellectual ideas and concepts? Any help would be great as wold any links to sources of information regarding such matters. Thanks!

Indricotherium

What exactly is the idea? In as much detail as you can manage.

NoQuarter

yeah youll need to be a lot more specific, obviously without giving anything away. But we need to know what exactly it is youre trying to protect.

Indricotherium

NoQuarter wrote: »

yeah youll need to be a lot more specific, obviously without giving anything away. But we need to know what exactly it is youre trying to protect.

Nah I just want the idea.

NoQuarter

Indricotherium wrote: »

Nah I just want the idea.

Shhhhhhhh

Carawaystick

Generally, patents cover ideas, copyright covers a fixed expression
Trademarks cover marks used in trade

So the original inventor can stop anyone copying their idea if it's patented
The creator of a copyright-able work can stop another copying that work , but not expressing the same idea in a different way- think of 2 journalists covering the same event, both articles are copyright but they are about the same thing
Trademarks are used to inform customers the maker of a product in a field, so you could have Microsoft windows (tm) and Senator Windows (tm)

Obviously it's more complex than this

If you have a good idea, a patent will provide some protection, but realistically a small man in a shed will find it tough to win against a multinational

A quick chat with a patent attorney or ip lawyer will show you where you are

coylemj

barry711 wrote: »

I have a really good idea that has the potential to make good money, yet I'm frightened at the same time that if I send it out to companies they will steal it and claim it as there own, as copyright does not protect your ideas. How would I ensure my safety from such an action in legal terms?

You need to tell your prospective partners that you will share some of your ideas with them if they sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), that's how it's done in the real world. The exact format of the document would depend on the nature of your idea, you probably need to consult a solicitor who can handle issues surrounding IP.

Procrastastudy

From watching that thing with Duncan Balantyne most idea are actually pretty rubbish. Are you sure you don't want to run it by us first?

krd

barry711 wrote: »

I have a really good idea that has the potential to make good money, yet I'm frightened at the same time that if I send it out to companies they will steal it and claim it as there own, as copyright does not protect your ideas. How would I ensure my safety from such an action in legal terms?

If you send out a good idea to companies - if they like it, they may not necessarily like you, and just take your idea and use it.

I know what the IDA used to do. They didn't like small fry (they preferred dealing with old money people). If they liked an idea, they'd might ask the person to developed it and sketch out a detailed business plan. Then once they'd have the plan, they'd call Seanie Quinn up and pitch the idea to him.

Banks were the same. If you presented a good business plan, they'd call up one of their existing clients and pitch it to them - even send them a copy of the plan.

I don't know if anyone has ever seen a case of a non disclosure agreement getting any joy in these instances.

If you are intrinsically linked to the idea - if it's impossible to do without you. Then you're on safer ground.

I'll give you an idea of my own experience. I had an idea for a computer course, no one else was offering at the time. I approached a course provider - and pitched the idea (this was all with the intention of getting a job teaching this course). They liked the idea - and asked me to do a more detailed plan. Which I did. Submitted it to them - then they start giving me the bollocky paddy run around. Next thing I see the ad for the course in the Irish Times and elsewhere. And I knew someone working for that company, and they were giving me the inside story. The paddies loved the course but they didn't love me. They had advertised the course, booked it up, and they still hadn't found someone to teach it, and they did not want me. It's just one of the myriad of reasons I am a very bitter person.

Also does the law of copyright in Ireland cover intellectual ideas and concepts? Any help would be great as wold any links to sources of information regarding such matters. Thanks!

If someone steals your concept, unless you have a lot of cash to pay a legal team, there is nothing you can do.

I knew someone who had a working prototype of some electronics. They had a patent. Philips, the big electronics firm, then lodged their version of the patent and put his device into production. They were even barefaced enough to send him their product with his device in it. He looked into suing, and the costs to get the ball rolling were into the millions, and there would be no guarantee of a win. The device was used for many years, and would have made him very wealthy. The IDA had put about 100 grand into it as well.

krd

GCDLawstudent wrote: »

From watching that thing with Duncan Balantyne most idea are actually pretty rubbish.

They put shite on that show for the purposes of entertainment. The humiliation and nonsense is meant to be like pop idol.

Actual real business ideas, can be very dry and obscure, and not very entertaining. If I gave a presentation for a boutique anti-corrosive additive for paints and lubricants used in the fishing industry, how long could you watch before your eyes drooped.

Duncan Balantyne is an arse.