if I have an idea for a mobile application, what steps must I take to prevent my idea from being stolen after speaking to a developer about producing it?
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if I have an idea for a mobile application, what steps must I take to prevent my idea from being stolen after speaking to a developer about producing it?
Asked on May 16, 2014 under Business Law, New Jersey
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 10 years ago | Contributor
If you've already spoken to the developer, it may be too late to take effective steps: what you need(ed) to do is to have the developer (or anyone else you may disclose the idea to) sign a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement *before* you discuss the idea with them; this agreement would state that they acknowledge that the idea is yours and is only being disclosed to consider a business arrangement, and that they cannot use the idea themselves or disclose to anyone else. If told them the idea without having them sign, however, they most likely can take the idea or disclose to another.
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