Advice need with regard to NDA's

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PAPPACLART

PAPPACLART

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Hello

I would like to ask for advice from anybody who has experience first hand with NDA agreements (Non Disclosure Agreement) (amar? ;) ) haha

I have approached an industry leading software developer with a business proposition. I have obviously kept details short but let off enough to prick ears and spark an interest. Now they want a sit down with me.

The potential outcome that I would hope for is; firstly they don't laugh me out of the building, 2ndly for them to see potential in my idea and perhaps cover all costs for System/ Software development while staking a stake in the business.

Like all individuals with ideas worth protecting, I am concerned that my Idea would be stolen. This company supply industry specific software for many leading industry specific company's which I wish to take a slice of the pie from.

This company with my idea would be in a very strong position to launch without me should they wish.

My idea is more a concept or a way to do business but with a radical and new way to do it and needs an I.T infrastructure behind it. It has national and potentially international promise. The industry in the UK alone turns over close to £3 billion a year, and there is a very good chance to have a percentage of that. How long is a piece of string?

Anyway, how do I safely protect this idea, and is an NDA sufficient. after all it is a concept and a way to do business so probably difficult to patent?

Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks
 
Business models can be patentable, as can software. An NDA is a good idea, and you should consider seeking a patent (at least getting the application on file). My wife deals with this sort of thing for a living, I'll see if I can't get her on here to give you some tips.
 
If the idea is that important to you, I would highly recommend contacting a legal professional.
 
Danoff
Business models can be patentable, as can software. An NDA is a good idea, and you should consider seeking a patent (at least getting the application on file). My wife deals with this sort of thing for a living, I'll see if I can't get her on here to give you some tips.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I thought it not possible to patent a business model. As for your wife, as she is in the States, I guess the law differs on Patents, perhaps for a National Patent?

Emu76
If the idea is that important to you, I would highly recommend contacting a legal professional.
Click to expand...

I already have a business partner and an advisor who is a close friend, he has some experience in contractual/legal matters with the work he does, But yes I will certainly look into this.

Thanks for your help.
 
Hello,

Danoff asked me to read this thread and post a reply. I deal with NDA's and patents in the US so I can't say too much about UK law. But it sounds like an NDA would cover you -- if you can get the company to sign it. A lot of big companies here in the US don't like to sign NDA's, so it's hard to disclose an idea to them without risking them running off with it. But if they'll sign it, then you can disclose your idea to them -- maybe withhold some details at first, judge their interest, and then give them more information if they seem interested.

Also, your NDA could require the recipient to both (a) agree not to disclose the confidential information you give them, and also (b) agree not to use any of that information to develop any new product. If they'll sign it.

You should also consider filing a patent application -- in the US, software can be patented if it is tied to a physical process or machine, which often requires only a computer or display of some kind. I don't know if that would work for your idea, but if you can tie your concept to a physical machine or process, you might want to file an application and be patent pending when you disclose your idea to the company.

You should also seek legal counsel in the UK. These are just a few ideas, not legal advice, as I'm not a UK attorney.

Good luck!
 

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