Mayb some1 out there can help, I have an idea for a product so I found www.davison .com and told them about my idea...So the guy tells me its going to cost $700.00 to get this thing started...I just dont have the money and I want my idea protected, I have my idea drawn up so please tell me what 2do next...Thanks sammyb273

NicoleD wrote:   According to copyright.gov: 'the practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a 'poor man's copyright.' There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration. For more detailed information on patents, copyrights, and trademarks, including FAQs and how-to guides, check out the Business Law Guide on Intellectual Property   Mayb some1 out there can help, I have an idea for a product so I found www.davison .com and told them about my idea...So the guy tells me its going to cost $700.00 to get this thing started...I just dont have the money and I want my idea protected, I have my idea drawn up so please tell me what 2do next...Thanks sammyb273

Unless things have changed, and they very well may have, there's a different type of copyright and form for different types of electronic intellectual media. The software code covering the functionality of a website would require one copyright while the appearance is covered under a different type. I haven't filed a copyright since starting into web work but a website worth protecting is often the result of both. Setting aside what's legal, people will copy some parts of any good website. Typically, parts of a website will be copied in such small parts that it's not worth pursuing or you have to go looking to find it. If you have to go looking, it's likely not hurting your business and you'll go broke protecting something that to no benefit. An exception to this is often lists such as membership lists. I've had people copy lists from my site multiple times. When I catch them they're embarrassed and blame it on an employee. To settle things, when they're off guard I sell them on becoming a customer. I haven't had anyone (well, out of two people) who weren't thrilled at being a customer for a couple hundred dollars compared to the high cost that they presume they're facing otherwise. I also get them to sign a document indicating that they won't do it again and most importantly I set the jurisdiction to my local area. This would be worthless for a foreign company but for a US company doing this it would be easier to collect damages and it would be worth pursuing if it happened again. In reality, it's not worth me going beyond embarrassing them.

Thanks to all for touching on the intricacies of intellectual property law (trademarks, copyrights, patents). Based on the discussion here, we recently added a blog post that offers further information on this topic. You can read more about Understanding Intellectual Property Law and How it Can Affect Your Online Business at this link. I hope you find this information helpful!

I hear this urban legend all the time. No, there is no such thing as a 'poor man's patent'. In order to acquire legal protection for your invention, you have to file a patent application with the USPTO. The patent process is lengthy and expensive. However, if your patent application is granted, you may enjoy a 20 year monopoly for utility inventions and 14 years for design inventions. For more information you can check out my website at los angeles patent attorney. Message Edited by NicoleD on 07-15-2009 09:30 AM

I would NOT rely on mailing anything to yourself as giving you ANY protection...   If you want to pursue a patent / trademark / copyright on your own, I recommend checking out Nolo Press (http://www.nolo.com). They have all kinds of do-it-yourself legal books (including how to write your own will). Check them out. And understand it is a LOT of work.   One thing to keep in mind is there is a difference between HAVING a patent and ENFORCING a patent (or copyright). It just gives you an advantage when you sue. It doesn't mean people won't ignore it and copy you anyway.   If you plan on putting anything of value on the web, then you should plan that someone will copy it, so you should copyright it before you put it online!   And I am NOT a lawyer, so take all this with a grain of salt, and check out Nolo Press.   Steve Booth tradeshow displays