Digital Rights Management / Protection Pre-Launch of new Viral Software Idea.

[a2zwebs]

Ok. here is my story. I have a new idea, for some viral software, that I think will explode if I can get it done correctly. A) I'm looking for a programmer, and will have them agree to an NDA, so they can't steal my idea, but what other steps have any of you ever done to deal with Digital Rights Management, and protecting your idea, pre-launch, and post-launch?

I've been looking in other freelancer forums for programmers, but am leary about someone taking my idea.

Any help will be appreciated.

[kenetrix]

Actually, I've never found a need for anything beyond an NDA, in my experience.

A properly worded NDA is more than enough protection. If they violate it, you can
take them to court, and win.

-Ken

[a2zwebs]

Thanks Ken. Yeah, I've never done anything more than an NDA myself either... I guess I'm just being overly cautious.

[stevenh512]

Your best bet is to go with a standard NDA, make sure there's an agreement with the programmer that his work is a "work made for hire" and register your copyright.

Any "digital rights management" beyond that could actually prevent your software from going viral. A lot of people these days are fed up with the idea of "copy protection" or "digital rights management" on software since it usually does more to hurt the honest customer than it does to prevent piracy.

[gxd5]

Originally Posted by a2zwebs

Ok. here is my story. I have a new idea, for some viral software, that I think will explode if I can get it done correctly. A) I'm looking for a programmer, and will have them agree to an NDA, so they can't steal my idea, but what other steps have any of you ever done to deal with Digital Rights Management, and protecting your idea, pre-launch, and post-launch?

I've been looking in other freelancer forums for programmers, but am leary about someone taking my idea.

Any help will be appreciated.

Good luck with that NDA if your developers are in another country. It won't help you at all.

When I am using freelancers, I NEVER tell them the entire idea. I bid out the project in little component black-box pieces. Then, I assemble the pieces myself into the final product. That way, no one knows what the grand plan is, and I already have re-usable code.

If you are going to hire a freelancer, do some due diligence. For instance, if you are on elance, post your project. Then, create another, separate profile.

When someone bids on your project, log in to your secret profile, then post projects with the exact same description as some of their past projects. Ask them if they will sell you the code for that project. A lot of them will. Don't do business with these people.

I know this because I've been approached by a few companies on elance asking if I wanted to buy software and databases that matched projects I've posted. If they will sell their stuff, they will sell mine. I walk away.

[a2zwebs]

Originally Posted by gxd5

Good luck with that NDA if your developers are in another country. It won't help you at all.

When I am using freelancers, I NEVER tell them the entire idea. I bid out the project in little component black-box pieces. Then, I assemble the pieces myself into the final product. That way, no one knows what the grand plan is, and I already have re-usable code.

If you are going to hire a freelancer, do some due diligence. For instance, if you are on elance, post your project. Then, create another, separate profile.

When someone bids on your project, log in to your secret profile, then post projects with the exact same description as some of their past projects. Ask them if they will sell you the code for that project. A lot of them will. Don't do business with these people.

I know this because I've been approached by a few companies on elance asking if I wanted to buy software and databases that matched projects I've posted. If they will sell their stuff, they will sell mine. I walk away.

Thank you for the insite here. Luckily I haven't shared any info with anyone yet. Have had one developer agree on an NDA, but I'm thinking maybe I should do a JV with someone here and get this thing off the ground. Not entirely sure yet.

This idea is BIG.

[Josh Anderson]

I suggest you stop focusing on protecting an idea and get to work creating it.

Do a simple NDA and then put it in gear and get it done.

To quote Jeff Miles "The Business Doctor."

"Its not the thing that matters but the marketing of the thing."

Otherwise by the time you get done fussing about digital rights management on an idea (there ain't no such thing) someone else who had the same idea will already have theirs on the market.

[a2zwebs]

Originally Posted by Josh Anderson

I suggest you stop focusing on protecting an idea and get to work creating it.

Do a simple NDA and then put it in gear and get it done.

To quote Jeff Miles "The Business Doctor."

"Its not the thing that matters but the marketing of the thing."

Otherwise by the time you get done fussing about digital rights management on an idea (there ain't no such thing) someone else who had the same idea will already have theirs on the market.

I agree totally. If I knew how to program it, I would be doing it myself. But getting a few i's dotted and T's crossed before I jump all in.

Thanks.