Business Ideas

I have a fantastic idea (aren't they all !)
Who do I talk to about developing the project without going through the hoops of getting patents etc?
Clearly,posting ideas on an open forum may be useful,but risky?

The usual way of protecting your idea during discussions is to have interested parties sign NDAs (none disclosure agreements).

Thanks Gina,
I'm aware of NDA's,but I was thinking more of informal discussions.Are mates in the pub really a suitable or qualified audience?

I think that you will be ok discussing it on here, just dont let all the cats out of their bags :)

Around friends in the pub I would say it would be ok.

Your friends dont have the recourses and time to take your idea and normally repect you not to rip it off.

Talking on a forum is a differant matter as someone with a similer product and service can quickly change or modify and soak customers away from you.

normally people are ok to talk openly about their ideas because it would normally been thought of

Patents require invention. Most business ideas aren't inventions.

Posting any idea in a public forum is risky if the idea...

• Is actually new
• Is within the ability of forum members to develop
• Is likely to make money
• Is attractive to somebody other than you

On the other hand, not discussing your idea could mean some negative factor is missed. It's easy to overlook something bad while in the thrall of a new idea. Dispassionate minds provide critical feedback when it's most useful, but least wanted (your friends may not be willing to provide such feedback).

I guess you have to decide whether the benefits are worth the risks involved.