how do you stop?

denby · 7 Oct 2011 at 11:20

hi

if i had a really great idea for an online game, but no technical knowledge
and i went to a company do program me something.

do they have to sign something , what stops them just stealing my idea?

andy_mk3 · 7 Oct 2011 at 11:23

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/patent.htm

I don't know anything much about it, worth a look at the above though.

GravyMonster · 7 Oct 2011 at 11:30

Unless you have a patent to the idea, or a contract stating who owns what IP, you have no guarantees at all.

denby · 7 Oct 2011 at 11:39

you cannot patent an idea though can you?...i would need it to exist before i could patent it wouldn't i?

catch 22 ?

Staffy · 7 Oct 2011 at 14:53

Copyright law is a minefield and varies from Country to Country.

Before entering in to any form of contract etc... seek legal advice. Get the company to sign a legally binding NDA before giving any specifics.

Alternately ask around and put your own team together (again NDA) develop a demo then patent/copyright? Then you can go to the big companies/distribution houses or even get some investment and do it yourself. Make sure they are citizens of a Country that can be governed by our laws!

Hope that helps

denby · 15 Nov 2011 at 12:32

Staffy said:
Copyright law is a minefield and varies from Country to Country.

Before entering in to any form of contract etc... seek legal advice. Get the company to sign a legally binding NDA before giving any specifics.

Alternately ask around and put your own team together (again NDA) develop a demo then patent/copyright? Then you can go to the big companies/distribution houses or even get some investment and do it yourself. Make sure they are citizens of a Country that can be governed by our laws!

Hope that helps

sorry to bring up a semi old thread

but regarding the above, how do i know if the NDA i received is legally binding?

the company seems legit enough but im still a bit worried about it

thanks

Staffy · 15 Nov 2011 at 12:39

My advice would be to read it thoroughly, which I assume you have?

Any questions you have about it speak to them (phone) and see what their responses are, if you are still not happy then, get legal advice. Or just get independent legal advice anyway.