Copyright of ideas????

[jobob]

Hi Wahine -

Your best bet is to write up your ideas, using diagrams etc, and then sign and date the document. If it's on multiple pages, make sure to sign & date each page.

Then, have someone who has read and understands your idea sign and date the document (that is, witness it). Your witness should not be a family member or someone you're intimate with, however a friend or colleague would be a good choice.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to have that witness' signature notarized as well. All the notary is doing is verifying that the witness is signing on that date, the notary doesn't have to understand the idea.

This blog post describes the process and the underlying rationale for preparing an invention disclosure. I know it all sounds anal, but if you're really concerned about it, it might be worth it.

(PS - I'm not an attorney and I'm not giving legal advice)

[jobob]

Oh, and in that document, also put down when you met the guy and what exactly you discussed with him in that initial meeting.

[Wahine]

Thank you Jobob!! I've started working on it already.

The device I want to develop has applications in healthcare and the running industry. I'm suddenly very excited about it and definitely want to protect my interest in it's development. I'm going to be as anal as I need to be.

Thanks again.