Protecting an idea

[Paul H]

A little off topic this one because the database may not be written in
Access. I am just looking for some advice..

I have an idea to help prevent a particular type of crime, a database will
be involved in storing and analysing information. The idea is quite a simple
one and once disclosed would be easy, with reasonable technical know-how, to
set-up.

Police forces all over the country could use my system, but I want to
approach the Metropolitan Police first. The trouble is, if I present my idea
to them, which takes about 30 seconds to explain, they could easily copy it
and get a developer to write the software themselves.

So, given what I have said above. How to you protect the idea? Not the code
(at this stage) just the idea?

Thanks,

Paul

[ManningFan]

Paul -
The only way to do so would be to have proof the idea originated from
you. Even then, copyrighting an idea is difficult. It's more feasable
to copyright a PROCESS. To do so would take some time, but if you
document a logic process and copyright it you could have some success.

The closest thing I can compare it to is this article:
http://www.springwise.com/entertainm...tant_bootlegs/

Clear Channel copyrighted a PROCESS of recording live events and making
them available to fans on their way out of venues. I don't know that
it ever caught on, but they do have a copyright for the process which
makes it near impossible for another company to get into the game.

At either rate, I agree with the person who said to offer it for free.
This will look outstanding on a resume, as well as open you up to other
programming opportunities your newly-created connections might bring.
Instead of the quick buck (which is extremely difficult to find),
you'll be opening up a world of long-term opportunity.

Paul H wrote:

A little off topic this one because the database may not be written in
Access. I am just looking for some advice..

I have an idea to help prevent a particular type of crime, a database will
be involved in storing and analysing information. The idea is quite a simple
one and once disclosed would be easy, with reasonable technical know-how, to
set-up.

Police forces all over the country could use my system, but I want to
approach the Metropolitan Police first. The trouble is, if I present my idea
to them, which takes about 30 seconds to explain, they could easily copy it
and get a developer to write the software themselves.

So, given what I have said above. How to you protect the idea? Not the code
(at this stage) just the idea?

Thanks,

Paul

[Paul H]

I have heeded everyone's advice and emailed my idea to
http://www.pito.org.uk/. I spoke to a very helpful lady who said that these
ideas are presented at regular committee meetings, the next one is in
January.

If the idea is not taken up by them I am considering creating a web site and
doing the whole thing off my own back. I could then use the information I
collect to put pressure on the police or the government to take this idea
seriously. I think it is a great idea that gives the public the power to
fight crime simply, anonymously and very effectively. I believe without a
shadow of a doubt that this system would both save lives and encourage
people to have a greater social conscience.

....and if I get to buy a house in Tahiti off the back of it, then great! ;o)

Paul

"ManningFan " <ma********@gma il.comwrote in message
news:11******** **************@ 14g2000cws.goog legroups.com...

Paul -
The only way to do so would be to have proof the idea originated from
you. Even then, copyrighting an idea is difficult. It's more feasable
to copyright a PROCESS. To do so would take some time, but if you
document a logic process and copyright it you could have some success.

The closest thing I can compare it to is this article:
http://www.springwise.com/entertainm...tant_bootlegs/

Clear Channel copyrighted a PROCESS of recording live events and making
them available to fans on their way out of venues. I don't know that
it ever caught on, but they do have a copyright for the process which
makes it near impossible for another company to get into the game.

At either rate, I agree with the person who said to offer it for free.
This will look outstanding on a resume, as well as open you up to other
programming opportunities your newly-created connections might bring.
Instead of the quick buck (which is extremely difficult to find),
you'll be opening up a world of long-term opportunity.

Paul H wrote:

>A little off topic this one because the database may not be written in
Access. I am just looking for some advice..

I have an idea to help prevent a particular type of crime, a database
will
be involved in storing and analysing information. The idea is quite a
simple
one and once disclosed would be easy, with reasonable technical know-how,
to
set-up.

Police forces all over the country could use my system, but I want to
approach the Metropolitan Police first. The trouble is, if I present my
idea
to them, which takes about 30 seconds to explain, they could easily copy
it
and get a developer to write the software themselves.

So, given what I have said above. How to you protect the idea? Not the
code
(at this stage) just the idea?

Thanks,

Paul

[ManningFan]

Paul -
The last bit of advice I would offer is this; putting pressure on the
police or government won't work. Instead, develop a process and
approach community leaders (school principals, priests, other assorted
pedophiles) and put the idea to them AFTER it has been developed. I
joke about the pedophiles part, in the U.S. all community leaders seem
to be one these days...

Anyway, I digress. If you can convince the people in touch at the
community levels, the pressure you seek will come from multiple angles
and thus be more difficult to ignore. Once it builds a little steam,
seek an audience with your local legislator or government
representative. Present the complete idea and program (don't worry
about bugs, as long as it more or less does what you're pitching you
should be fine) to them and explain why and how it will help SAVE THEM
MONEY. Remember, being in government isn't really about being a great
guy, it's about proving to the tax payers you can save them money so
they'll re-elect you and pay you some stupid amount in pensions for the
rest of your life.

If they still don't buy it, see if you can tweak it so it can be used
in big business. They're usually more receptive to spending money to
raise their bottom line.

Paul H wrote:

I have heeded everyone's advice and emailed my idea to
http://www.pito.org.uk/. I spoke to a very helpful lady who said that these
ideas are presented at regular committee meetings, the next one is in
January.

If the idea is not taken up by them I am considering creating a web site and
doing the whole thing off my own back. I could then use the information I
collect to put pressure on the police or the government to take this idea
seriously. I think it is a great idea that gives the public the power to
fight crime simply, anonymously and very effectively. I believe without a
shadow of a doubt that this system would both save lives and encourage
people to have a greater social conscience.

...and if I get to buy a house in Tahiti off the back of it, then great! ;o)

Paul

"ManningFan " <ma********@gma il.comwrote in message
news:11******** **************@ 14g2000cws.goog legroups.com...

Paul -
The only way to do so would be to have proof the idea originated from
you. Even then, copyrighting an idea is difficult. It's more feasable
to copyright a PROCESS. To do so would take some time, but if you
document a logic process and copyright it you could have some success.

The closest thing I can compare it to is this article:
http://www.springwise.com/entertainm...tant_bootlegs/

Clear Channel copyrighted a PROCESS of recording live events and making
them available to fans on their way out of venues. I don't know that
it ever caught on, but they do have a copyright for the process which
makes it near impossible for another company to get into the game.

At either rate, I agree with the person who said to offer it for free.
This will look outstanding on a resume, as well as open you up to other
programming opportunities your newly-created connections might bring.
Instead of the quick buck (which is extremely difficult to find),
you'll be opening up a world of long-term opportunity.

Paul H wrote:

A little off topic this one because the database may not be written in
Access. I am just looking for some advice..

I have an idea to help prevent a particular type of crime, a database
will
be involved in storing and analysing information. The idea is quite a
simple
one and once disclosed would be easy, with reasonable technical know-how,
to
set-up.

Police forces all over the country could use my system, but I want to
approach the Metropolitan Police first. The trouble is, if I present my
idea
to them, which takes about 30 seconds to explain, they could easily copy
it
and get a developer to write the software themselves.

So, given what I have said above. How to you protect the idea? Not the
code
(at this stage) just the idea?

Thanks,

Paul