Business Idea Stolen?

[Streamline]

Hey Guys,

I have quite a few business ideas that I really want to share to get feedback and comments but I'm affraid that someone might steal it. Has this ever happened to anyone here.....and what advice can you give about information disclosure?

Max Vistitsky

[Nigami Enterprise]

Only tell the right people the right ideas and everything should be right. You cant keep the idea to yourself or its more useless.

I always look at it like this . When developing an idea i actually plan for the idea to be stolen and how i can compete and be better then the popel that stole the idea. Sometimes its even bettere for your product when its stolen as they will basically pay for your marketing.

[akula]

Hey Guys,

I have quite a few business ideas that I really want to share to get feedback and comments but I'm affraid that someone might steal it. Has this ever happened to anyone here.....and what advice can you give about information disclosure?

Max Vistitsky

no, "ideas being stolen" has never been an issue

this is because an "idea" is not a chattel that's capable of being stolen

for legal proposes, since "ideas" are not recognized as a form of property, they cannot be stolen

however, if you wanna try to protect any claims to future profits arising from your ideas, you can manifest your ideas into copyright, registered designs, trade secrets etc. these things are chattels. they are legally recognized as kinds of personal property. "ideas" are not, therefore, they can't be stolen.

[SendBlast]

huh? of course ideas can be stolen, plain and simple. however as dan said, you cant copyright the idea, but the chattel used in making it a reality.

[beyond]

Yes, ideas can be stolen. Most people today lack vision, therefore when presented with an "idea" that is feasible in their situation (maybe they have money, connections, etc) they will not hesitate to put your idea to work. It happens everyday. It's almost human nature given the competitive nature of business today.

Word of advice?

Tell NO ONE.

No "idea" should be voiced to others until that idea is developed enough to begin implementing it. Once you have it worked out thoroughly (on paper at least) and you have at least the means to start the procedure of getting the copywrites, legal name, etc.... keep it to yourself.

When that time comes and you are ready to find funding, a partner or get professional advice then have anyone you discuss your idea with fill out a Confidential Disclosure Agreement. Any established professional or entity with good intent should have no problem respecting your caution....if they do, then walk away.

Our (USA) economy sucks and it's going to get worse. Most people won't hesitate to cut your throat if it means success for them...thats just the way it is.

[gordman]

Not that I am thinking of, you better make sure first...

[cactuar]

Yeah I had the same problem with my idea. Some people you can probably speak to are your family and very close friends you trust 100%. For me, I went to a professor I trust. He actually teaches the entrepreneur class in my school, and lots of students go to him for ideas.

I see a lot clubs in the university where you can find business partners, but I just don't know why anyone would share their ideas with someone they don't even know.

[olani]

Explain the minimum. from the replies, you will detect potential partners, and then filter them giving more information and seeing their replies.. Do never show all your cards, because you will loose everything in an eye blink.

[silversurfer]

Hey Guys,

I have quite a few business ideas that I really want to share to get feedback and comments but I'm affraid that someone might steal it. Has this ever happened to anyone here.....and what advice can you give about information disclosure?

Max Vistitsky

My friend and I created a start up business to develop a certain kind of software. We asked many people we know, and we know a lot in the business, and no one said anything but: GREAT IDEA. We had sort of an Alpha 3 version pre-Beta when another company launched with:
1. software as good as our was going to be
2. about one hundred times better content
3. Evidence they'd been working on the company for two years.

Then I found out that two other companies launched in the last month doing the exact same thing I was doing. Three companies launched with my idea while no one in-the-know had heard anything.

That means, in general, that someone (if not multiple entrepreneurs) has already had your idea and not implemented it yet. You need to beat them to market. I have complete faith that someone is working on the same ideas as you right this minute.

Someone posted about their idea here and we found like three examples of companies doing the exact same thing that they never saw.

And Akula is more right than most of you. You idea is not unique. I come up with... maybe 2 business ideas every day. When I get around to researching them I find that usually one that half or more of the ideas are already in-production. I cannot stress enough that ideas are absolutely the tiniest part of business creation. I have multiple inspirations every day. That either makes me a mega-genius or means that lots of people get business ideas.

SS