gah! I think some people need to have a good look at the differences between a trademark, copyright and patents. There are some good overviews here; http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/
If you want proper advice on protecting a business, don't ask for help in a webmaster forum, go and talk to an expert or a lawyer.
Basically, and I am not a lawyer, but it goes something like this;
Trademarks are usually names/logos that businesses protect because they don't want someone using your identity to sell similar products. There are also protections under "passing off" legislation that stops people from copying something you have invested in.
Copyright exists when you publish ANYTHING. The second you broadcast something, you then can claim the RIGHT that only you can COPY that material. There are also provisions for fair use and production of something as a fact.
Patents generally only extend to a protect the "process" of doing something, and you have to show that your process is new, original and useful and never existed before.
If you are looking at protecting a business idea, it depends how deep your pockets are and how far you are willing to go. Even if you manage to fulfill all the criteria to protect an "idea", are you prepared to defend it if someone takes you to court. Even if you have insurance with a legal costs cover, do you have the time and desire to do anything about it?
You know what the best protection is against someone stealing your idea?
Turn your idea into a reality and then try and sell as much of it as you can. |
