My idea was stolen. What can I do? — Smart Women Series Global
My idea was stolen. What can I do? One of the best examples I can provide of an idea stolen is the case of Facebook Founder Facebook Inc. reportedly paid out $65 million to settle a lawsuit filed against it by the founders of ConnectU Inc. The suit had charged that Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg pilfered their business ideas while a student at Harvard University
An Idea does not have to be trademarked or have copyright in order to have protection. The idea can be in a piece of art copied, a product or service, you mistakenly shared with friends, and months later they have taken your idea and are profiting from your work.
What can you do? First, if you have an idea, write the points down and keep records of the progress and development. NEVER share thoughts with anyone outside of your trusted circle. If you find you need to share with others in the area of advice, ask them to sign a nondisclosure or non-compete. The first step of protecting your idea, if the opposing parties refuse, move on.
My idea was stolen. What can I do?
If you find your product or idea online even without copyright the Internet provides a means of protection called the DMCA. Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Every platform on the web has a form to file a copyright infringement notice. Simple to fill out, no Attorneys needed, the Platform like Facebook and others take this filing seriously, and unless the offender removes the work then the pages or entire site will be taken down and the offending party banned for life.
Protecting what is yours in The Digital Millennium Copyright Act is a 1998 United States copyright law that implements two 1996 treaties of the World Intellectual Property Organization. It criminalizes the production and dissemination of technology, devices, or services intended to circumvent measures that control access to copyrighted works.
In the business world, this takes finesse, knowing how and what to protect and where-with-all to do so.
I’ve learned this myself the hard way, pumping out ideas all of my life for clients, companies I’ve worked for, and people I thought I could trust.
I also did not give myself credit for what I “did” know, and how it was different from how others processed ideas and concepts… and generously shared ideas with those I thought had my back.
Well… they had other agendas with my intellectual property.
This is a common occurrence as I am finding out, and part of the purpose of this business is to help women discern when, where, and how to protect their ideas, concepts, works, artistry, and beyond.
My idea was stolen. What can I do?
In aligning Smart Women Series Global with Ethical Fashion Guatemala, part of our offerings to women all over the world includes copyright protection. Please see here how Ethical Fashion Guatemala managed to take on poachers of artistry and their attempts to continue profiting off the hard work of Artisans in ninety Countries.
Originally published at https://smartwomenseriesglobal.com.
