WILL MY IDEA BE STOLEN?
By: Figure Creatives
Tags: Startup Life, Ideas To Execution, Idea Generation, Startup, Entrepreneur Ideas

WILL MY IDEA BE STOLEN?

INTERNET HACKER/FRAUD IMAGE REPRESENTATION

Do you have an idea for an app? A silly or groundbreaking idea. You probably have been protecting every bit of it with all your heart, and being ‘hush-hush’ about the whole thing. Well, I have some knowledge I would like to share with you to make things a tad easier for you. Whether you are an individual, a startup,

interested in developing new technology (software, app, etc.) there are some easy steps you can take to protect your app idea.

IDEAS MOVE THE WORLD

HERE ARE A FEW TIPS ON WHAT TO DO BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Let me first state that, if your idea is an original thought- not a modification of something already in existence- it means there is more where that single idea came from. It is also important to note that, the way you will execute the idea is VERY different from how anyone else who decides to run with the idea will execute it.

So, you might be wondering, how then do I go about protecting my idea from idea theft and plagiarism, especially for countries that are notable for piracy of intellectual materials and brave duplication of ideas?

ROWAN ATKINSON (MR BEAN) TRYING TO STEAL ANSWERS DURING AN EXAM

1. DON’T ASK FOR A NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (NDA)

A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is a legally binding contract.

Non-disclosure agreements are legal contracts that prohibit someone from sharing information deemed confidential. The confidential information is defined in the agreement which includes, but is not limited to, proprietary information, trade secrets, and any other details which may include personal information or events.

At 4 Figure, we work with individuals, startups, and companies that are willing to develop a digital version of an idea that they want to implement, and is solution oriented or as we like to call it (problem-centric) in nature.

At the initial stage of trying to get your idea out there, it is not wrong to ask for an NDA or give one, but it is not feasible in most cases. This is because anyone who will advise you or engage you with an NDA staring at them, will not be so transparent and comfortable in helping you to explore the full possibilities of your idea.

DON’T DO IT!

There’s a Buddha saying that goes thus, “An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.- Buddha”

You are far too worried about protecting your app idea, but sorry to burst your bubble, most, if not all of the people you want to talk to, will have no interest in taking your idea and developing it for themselves.

BUDDHA INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

…Now, instead of going about sharing an NDA to any and every one you come across, here are some of the things you can do to protect your idea from being stolen.

2. USE THE 80/20

I bet you’re wondering what the 80/20 is. Before you go out for any discussions or advice concerning your idea. It is very important that you discover what is unique about your idea (What makes it different?) — ‘What distinguishes your idea from others that are already in place? How does the solution your idea proffers differ from existing solutions’, such that someone who already uses the other solution can consider your own solution when it is developed and deployed?

In business/startup/entrepreneurship it is called a Unique Value Proposition (UVP)

or Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Your whole app idea is not and cannot be proprietary no matter how innovative you try to be. You will definitely be using either existing systems or improving on already established solutions. I can assure you that there is already more than one app or solutions already doing a part of what you’re trying to establish.

Once you’re sure of what really makes your app different from others in existence, then you can talk about the other 80% all day.

3. TRADEMARK THE NAME OR LOGO YOU INTEND TO USE

A Trademark is a symbol, word, or words legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product. Trademarking is a very good way to protect your app name. But I must say it’s premature if you haven’t first validated your idea by talking about it (discovering if truly, people need what you’re trying to build).

You must have come across the popular Trademark icon TM. Yes! That one. Ideas can’t be trademarked, and if it involves software (apps included) you probably can’t patent it. Please consult this page

for more information and links to resources about trademarks and patents. DON’T TRY TO PROTECT YOUR APP “IDEA” BUT PROTECT A PROTOTYPE/APP. Quit exerting so much energy on protecting your app ‘idea’. Instead, I encourage you to go out into your industry and the tech world and share your idea with as many people as you can. You may come to discover that your idea is ‘not that great’ and save yourself a lot of time and money. Or, you might find exactly what you actually want/need to make your idea come to life (no better feeling than this).

Find a way to build a prototype (mock version) of the product you’re trying to deploy and then you can start sharing NDA’s if you wish. At this point, sharing an NDA before showing anyone what you have to offer is no longer met with raised eyebrows and snide remarks under the breath. Though I advise that you employ wisdom in sharing the prototype and NDA, because at this stage, you now have something that looks like the real thing.

5. NOT A STARTUP (BUSINESS, COMPANY, ORGANISATION) ON-STARTUPS

Let’s assume you’re not a startup. Your business/organization/company has a mobile project underway and you need to meet with app development companies to ascertain who will handle your project, but with discretion because of your competitors.

If the companies you will be interviewing are reputable companies with a good portfolio and a track record of integrity, *I would insert 4 Figure here now, but we’re just starting out so I’ll update this article in months to come ‘wink’* then they will by no means be interested in copying your idea or sharing it with your competitors in the industry.

Let’s say you’re still paranoid then I suggest you employ The 80/20 as mentioned above in item #2.

6. INVOLVE A LAWYER

Still worried if your idea will be stolen after taking these personal measures? Then I suggest you contact Bernard Damisa. He does Tech Law advisory for startups and companies. You can check him out at

He will be willing to listen to you. You can mention us as a referral if you wish. We’ll be glad and honoured.

FINALLY,

I hope that with these few points of mine, I have been able to convince you that, “protecting your app idea” is not the goal, but, rather, to protect something tangible that can be valued. Hey! It’s just an idea anyways and remember, “ideas are everywhere, execution is key.”

I’ll leave you with this very popular quote on idea theft, in case you’re still a doubting Thomas.

Don’t worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you’ll have to ram them down people’s throats.- Howard Aiken — Ụdo!

Published by Chimezie N. Chukwunta — (Co-founder 4 Figure Creatives LLC)

Find out more about 4 Figure Creatives here on our website…

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