WAHMing ideas and copyright?

[Leiiki]

If I post about a product I'm considering creating, is there any way to prevent someone from stealing my idea and selling it themselves before I have a chance? I would like to join WAHM and do some testing, but it's a really unique and useful product and I'm worried I won't be able to produce fast enough or even make it to market if an established seller took the idea.

[Fishie Kisses]

Well, unfortunately, I think unless you get the idea patented, there is nothing you can do to prevent that. Maybe apply for a patent?

[Leiiki]

Does that work for handmade goods? I guess it must, since patents have been around since everything was handmade I'll look into that. Or maybe one of the DS-friendly sellers for similar items might want to work with me. I trust the ladies (and guys, i suppose) on DS more than the internet at large!

[*Peanut*]

There are copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and patents. It depends on your product, the money and time you have to spend, and what you are trying to accomplish. Each type of protection entails and requires something different. For example, I can't just patent anything. My product has to meet the requirements for a patent and my patent application (which is a bit tricky to get right if you are not familiar with the parameters you need to stay within) will have get approval from the examiner. A patent takes years to obtain, so it might not even be worth my time and energy to get one.

Since it is a secret, I can't offer you any more advice.