Business Ideas

[Barcode The Zebra]

Hi folks

I have had a few ideas relating to the music industry (goodness only knows they seem to need them!) and was wondering how to go about it... (can you guys help?)

Basically I need to make sure that my ideas / concepts don't get pinched by whoever I pass them to without me getting a share and also quite how "a cut" would be sent my way!

So, my question is...

Can any of you geniuses out there tell me how to protect my intellectual property (the concepts in this case) and yet still pass them on to the "big guns" in the music industry.

Before you ask...no it doesn't involve me singing...that would be another story, and not a particularly pleasant one ;-)

All the best

BTZ

[nick kemp]

One way is to get whoever you interact with to sign a confidentiality agreement before revealing any of your concepts

[marksherwood]

Hi BTZ,

Interesting post.

I am not sure whether this is a myth or not...but cant do any harm to try.

I have heard that in such cases, if you write down EXACTLY what your idea / concept is and then mail it to yourself RECORDED / REGISTERED DELIVERY (as long as there is a record of you posting it and that the concept was yours on a certain date)and then DO NOT OPEN IT....that should stand up in court...(OOOER M'lud)

Like i said, it may be a myth, but cant do any harm to at least look into.

Cheers

Mark

[Jay Budzynski]

Just to add to Marks post- it is fact- yet you have to be a little more specific- 

What you need to do before you post it to your self is write  something like this-


I the undersigned

(YOUR NAME HERE) (ON THIS DATE)

Am to the best of my knowledge the sole owner of the enclosed material-

Then a bullet point by point list of what you are sending to you self-


Then you write at the bottom

In witness on this date


(witnesses name) (Date)         (Your name)   (date)


Witnesses signature/ date        your signature/ date


You need 3 copies of this- one goes to your witness- one goes to you and the 3rd copy gets pleased in the package you are going to send to you self.

You need to make 3 copies- of this information the original ideas and notes you have made to come up with this idea- need to be the ones you post- the other two copies are to be put some where safe- so if you ever have  to take action- you can give your lawyer a open copy- with out breaching the sealed copy- which would be opened in court- in front of a judge-

Hope this makes sense

Jay 

 

[marksherwood]

Thanks Jay,

I nearly started my post with the word 'apparantly'...and we all know what that means dont we ?

Cheers,

Mark

[Barcode The Zebra]

Hi folks

Thanks for your input and your ideas.  I'm still formulating MY ideas into something a little more cohesive.

I think the next obstacle is going to be "how to hit WAY over my head in an industry that likes to do things its own way and doesn't even reply to emails, letters (and, many years ago, demo tapes!!!) and be listened to?"

No, I'm not being negative (although I appreciate that it may seem that I am) I'm just being realistic as I have already tried to make contact and been greeted by a "wall of silence".

If anybody knows any Record Industry execs who may be interested in saving their industry (OK maybe not quite... but it is a different approach!) ask them to make contact!!

I promise that - when I make it - I will publish how I did it on this very forum!

Cheers to all and rock on!

BTZ

[Anthony Davis]

Hi
It's been a while since I posted and I may be a little late but the form you want is called a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) - I've attached a copy of mine.

It's essential that you get someone to sign it before you talk about your idea otherwise it can then be considered in the Public Domain and can then become null and void for Patent Purposes.  Check out Patents and Trademarks in your country.  Written text is generally copyrighted as you right it - including this!

Anthony

[effectivecoach]

In my experience, holding back from asking for advice because you don't want other people to steal your idea is counter productive. It holds you up and stops the energy flowing. Most people have their hands full enough with their own business and it takes a huge amount of enthusiasm and energy to start (and complete) something new, so it is highly unlikely that someone will run off with you idea and do something with it on their own.

That doesn't mean print it on the front page of the national rag but be selective and trust!

IMO

Good luck

[Elese]

I really fall in with Charles on this one. 

Here's another thought too, you might want to check out the folks at Ideablob  http://www.ideablob.com/ - they hold worldwide idea exchanges and people post ideas on the site.  You could ask if they have ever had issues of this kind.

I went to a LiveBlob event in LA and everyone was pretty much disclosing everything in exchange for ideas from the group. It was beautiful to see people falling over one another to help.

Also, I highly recommend attending one of Barbara Sher's Idea Parties on Twitter.  I think you might need to go to her site to sign up for her newsletter www.barbarasher.com to find out the date of the next one.

And if you are on Twitter, post your question there too!  People are incredibly forthcoming and helpful.

love

Elese

[Michelle Young]

We lear something new every day  Such a interesting thread