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How Do You Protect Your Ideas When Outsourcing?

by wulfgar2012
16 replies
I have an idea for a product , which I'd like to outsource the design , physical prototyping , website design , etc.

What kind of steps should I take to make sure that the people I outsource the task to don't steal my product design?

I know I will need to get some kind of non disclosure contract from them. I thought I'd ask for some advice since someone else must be going through this as well.
#ideas #outsourcing #protect
  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Don't disclose the critical and unique aspects of what you're doing until you have narrowed the field to just your contractor. Then, as you mentioned, use a detailed NDA. Check and follow up with references if this is really an important project.

    Nothing is 100% fool proof. Be sure you are working with a legitimate service. Often, the lowest bid is a warning that you may not be looking at the best contractor so pay more to work with the best if you think the price is reasonable.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Vid Yo
    Remember to separate the tasks too. If you need 4 tasks completed and each will take 2 hours/day, hire 2-4 different individuals instead 1 full time person.
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  • Profile picture of the author professorrosado
    I would conduct business with outsource suppliers who have been vetted by checking their references - just as you would in hiring someone offline. You check with other people they've worked for in the past.

    Another method is to develop trusted outsource assets through smaller projects and test how they perform their work and how serious they are with security and confidentiality. Combined with checking their work portfolios and actually contacting past clients, you should have a better sense of whom to trust with your prized core.

    The NDA is, of course, a standard business practice - but in business, as in other areas in life, you should never lay all your cards on the table.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

    Don't disclose the critical and unique aspects of what you're doing until you have narrowed the field to just your contractor. Then, as you mentioned, use a detailed NDA. Check and follow up with references if this is really an important project.

    Steve
    Originally Posted by professorrosado View Post

    The NDA is, of course, a standard business practice - but in business, as in other areas in life, you should never lay all your cards on the table.
    If your outsource could potentially compete with you, add a lengthy non-compete agreement. They may still follow you, but you'll have time to gain a first-to-market advantage.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jake Howard
    1. Only work with people that you trust
    2. Don't worry about it. People are generally too busy with their own life, to worry about stealing yours.
    3. The idea itself is only and to an extent the physical product is only half of it. The other half it research, marketing, strategy, vision and enthusiasm. They may have access to your product, but they don't have everything else.
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  • Profile picture of the author AronParker
    Here's how:-

    1. Don't hire men, period - Men want to dominate and be the pack leader and will definitely be stealing your idea to make money, hire women and they'll be much more profitable. (Some men are cool if you trust them)

    2. Hire people from 3rd World Countries and give them "Job Security", they won't attempt anything if they know they'll lose it all if they mess up.

    3. Don't hand over all the important tasks to a single person, hand them over to different people.

    4. Hire a ruthlessly strict manager who's ready to do Whatever It Takes to run business the right way.
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    • Profile picture of the author Vid Yo
      Originally Posted by AronParker View Post

      Here's how:-

      1. Don't hire men, period - Men want to dominate and be the pack leader and will definitely be stealing your idea to make money, hire women and they'll be much more profitable. (Some men are cool if you trust them)

      2. Hire people from 3rd World Countries and give them "Job Security", they won't attempt anything if they know they'll lose it all if they mess up.

      3. Don't hand over all the important tasks to a single person, hand them over to different people.

      4. Hire a ruthlessly strict manager who's ready to do Whatever It Takes to run business the right way.
      Interesting take lol! I'm just trying to figure out if your comments are a bit ridiculous or if you just have the nerve to say what others are thinking.
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      • Profile picture of the author AronParker
        Originally Posted by Vid Yo View Post

        Interesting take lol! I'm just trying to figure out if your comments are a bit ridiculous or if you just have the nerve to say what others are thinking.
        I run real businesses, i'm not a "fake guru" like most on this forum.

        So you can think of it in anyway you want.
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  • Profile picture of the author aizaku
    split the tasks between different outsources..

    the truth is, you're not their only client and im sure every client thinks he/she has a great idea.

    I wouldnt worry to much about it.
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  • Profile picture of the author av2001
    also remember that and idea or product is just that. Success lays in good marketing and that's where you're (or at least should) be different from the contractors. Your idea can be copied anyway once it's live so a good marketing plan should give you the advantage here.
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  • Profile picture of the author DIABL0
    Have a contract, NDA and non-compete.

    The most safest way is to hire someone as an actual employee and they come to your location and work and can't leave with anything. However, that may not be financially viable.

    Thankfully, most programmers aren't marketers and just want work. So you will likely be fine.

    If your worried, work try and find someone in your own country or even state. At least then it's easier to enforce. If your hiring someone from a 3rd world country, it could be much more difficult.
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  • Profile picture of the author wulfgar2012
    Awesome , thanks for the advice everyone.

    The product idea I have is for a physical product , not anything software related.

    I do agree that there's really no way to protect it from being copied once it's been proven , and in production. I just want to stay ahead of the curve, make my profit , and move on to the next idea.

    The product is a retro-fit for an existing product, which I've made an improvement to make it more reliable.

    I'm pretty sure I can outsource the prototype without them knowing what the actual end product is , where to market it , etc. . I think a basic non disclosure agreement would be sufficient to keep them honest, at least that's what I'm hoping.
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  • Profile picture of the author wulfgar2012
    any patent experts around here?

    As far as I can tell, you don't actually need to have a patent to protect an idea or product.
    You just need to have at least applied ,and paid for the application to have a hearing to have the patent approved.
    Is this a good step to take to at least have on record the fact that you had the idea first?
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    If you want to patent - you need to have the product first.


    you cannot patent an idea for an invention. The invention itself has to be produced or a patent application containing the invention must be filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). While all inventions start with an idea, not every idea can be called an invention.
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    • Profile picture of the author wulfgar2012
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      If you want to patent - you need to have the product first.
      yes, I realize I would have to have the product first. I do have a crude prototype which I made from some materials I found at the hardware store.
      I am going to need to have someone mass produce them, and with materials that have the properties to withstand the environment the final product is going to be subjected to.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    I don't think you even need a prototype to apply for patent. I'm not an attorney but thought detailed plans for construction of the product would be enough to apply. I think that would include list of materials to be used, etc but could be wrong about that.
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