[brodysmama]

So I have this Idea......
I've made a prototype (it still needs a little work, but for the most part, it works and is presentable.) I've even worn my prototype in the public and have had strangers ask me about it. when people ask about it, I always say I've had this for years and don't remember where I bought it, But now I'm ready to make some money on it. What next? I don't want to give my idea away by explaining it. let's just say it is something you wear (sporting equipment) and solves a problem. I've spent some time searching the patent website, and found similar patents to solve this problem, but honestly they are all silly (to me) Ive purchased a few similar products (before my idea) while just trying to solve this problem and they don't really work. (just my opinion.)

So now what? I don't know if I want to spend $5,000-a billion dollars to patent it. I did however find a non confidentiality agreement on a website for a huge name brand co.that sells these sort of things, under "inventors" on their website. But all it says is "inventors submit your ideas to us" and has this non confidentiality document to fill out. What does this form really do for me? And what does it really do for them? Can someone point me in the right direction? Or maybe give me some book titles to buy? I definitely can't quit my day job, but eventually would like to.

[akula]

sure...I'm a lawyer so I can answer your question.
a) legally, the NDA means nothing. it's a completely worthless piece of paper that enjoys zero legal effect.
b) there is nothing you can do to "protect an idea". an idea is not a type of property. legally, it's not a thing the enjoyment of which can be limited to one person at a time.
c) you don't need to "protect ideas". that's just stupid. you need to shout your idea off the rooftop and hope that someone cares. it's called marketing.
d) your competitive advantage as an entrepreneur ought to lie in generating lots of good ideas rather than going all ape shit over one silly thing you've thought of. the more ideas you have, the higher your chances are of succeeding. if you only have one idea, even if it's patented, your chances of success will be lower than if you had many ideas. it's simple arithmetics.