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iLikebeer · Dec 15, 2004, 04:34 AM

I'm just wondering, how can someone create an innovative website that people would use keep from being copied by another site that is in the same field? Are we past the point that a person can design a useful site that only gives people information similar but more useful than another site and profit from it?

What keeps bigger sites from just implementing their own version of someone else's million dollar idea? Do you have to quickly get a large underground following and hope a bigger site buys you out?

I know these are kind of general questions, but I just thought of a great idea (imo) for a website that doesn't exist right now; and I don't want to go into specifics. I know qualified people that could put this site into reality, but would it be worth the trouble if a bigger site just ripped it off?

Athens · Dec 15, 2004, 05:06 AM

Originally posted by iLikebeer:
I'm just wondering, how can someone create an innovative website that people would use keep from being copied by another site that is in the same field? Are we past the point that a person can design a useful site that only gives people information similar but more useful than another site and profit from it?

What keeps bigger sites from just implementing their own version of someone else's million dollar idea? Do you have to quickly get a large underground following and hope a bigger site buys you out?

I know these are kind of general questions, but I just thought of a great idea (imo) for a website that doesn't exist right now; and I don't want to go into specifics. I know qualified people that could put this site into reality, but would it be worth the trouble if a bigger site just ripped it off?

Copyright it, Register it as a trademark, other then that nothing. Just have deep pockets for expensive lawyer fees.

Apple Pro Underwear · Dec 15, 2004, 06:19 AM

the easiest way is to make your site the best in every way so nobody will leave and it will be hard for them to copy.

THIS site for instance is probably not the best site but it does enough to keep it's base together even though there are shite loads of mac news sites.

Mastrap · Dec 15, 2004, 06:23 AM

Any idea you put into the public domain is at risk of being copied, there's nothing you can do. When I started my own company I was really worried that this would happen. Once you're up and running however you'll see just how much work it is to get an idea off the ground, how much time and money you'll need to invest. That alone will keep most people off your back.

It is very hard to copyright an idea. You might be able to patent it but that takes time and money. Just go out there and see if your idea flies. Being the first to market is a powerful benefit. Grab whatever market share you can and relax. It's others who have to do the catching up.

Millennium · Dec 15, 2004, 06:37 AM

Athens has got it. This is what copyright law is for. Register the copyright as soon as the site is up; if you ever do need to resort to legal action, then having registered the copyright will be extremely helpful. The site will be considered copyrighted even if you don't register it, but registration gives you hard proof of when your site was put up, and that will help.

Peter · Dec 15, 2004, 06:38 AM

make it all in flash

iLikebeer · Dec 15, 2004, 06:47 AM

First, thanks for the replies.

But what if it is just a kind of a site w/ information about something in a field w/ a very well known competitor that already exists(Sort of an add on to a big site's info that gives people what they are really looking for.) Making it the best site wouldn't help if they could just steal the info. I'm hoping it's something that its partners wouldn't want them to do, otherwise I wouldn't even think about it.

Actually, after thinking about that last part, maybe it would be possible. I'm fully aware of the costs, my brother and a lot of his friends are at or have graduated from Academy of Arts in SF and are active in this field.

Sorry if this seems a bit cryptic, but I really want to see if this can work.

Athens · Dec 15, 2004, 07:08 AM

Originally posted by Peter:
make it all in flash

Wont stop some one from coping it.

Athens · Dec 15, 2004, 07:12 AM

Originally posted by iLikebeer:
First, thanks for the replies.

But what if it is just a kind of a site w/ information about something in a field w/ a very well known competitor that already exists(Sort of an add on to a big site's info that gives people what they are really looking for.) Making it the best site wouldn't help if they could just steal the info. I'm hoping it's something that its partners wouldn't want them to do, otherwise I wouldn't even think about it.

Actually, after thinking about that last part, maybe it would be possible. I'm fully aware of the costs, my brother and a lot of his friends are at or have graduated from Academy of Arts in SF and are active in this field.

Sorry if this seems a bit cryptic, but I really want to see if this can work.

Its a risk, and unless your willing to take the risk of some one coping you, don't bother then. There is NOTHING you can do technically to prevent some one from coping what your site is. Only tool you have is the courts which is why registering it is the best thing you can do. On my computer company site I ripped a chart from a competitor, they said they would sue me, I told them to get stuff (called there bluff) in the end it wasent worth it for them to do anything about it. If you have a great idea, and you really want to protect it you have to be prepared to sue and fight hard to protect it.

Millennium · Dec 15, 2004, 08:35 AM

There is always a risk; no way around that. This is how business works. I reiterate: your best defense is to register a copyright for your work, either immediately after publishing it or just beforehand. This can be used in court as proof that you published it first, and it will be very difficult for your competitor to get around it.

Sherwin · Dec 15, 2004, 01:05 PM

A major thing to have if you need to stay one step ahead of the copiers is to always have a few tricks up your sleeve ready to implement (hold them back but make sure they're ready to go at a moment's notice). Once you get clones stealing your business, throw one of those tricks out there on your site. Nothing like throwing regular curveballs to keep the competition struggling.

turtle777 · Dec 15, 2004, 04:40 PM

Originally posted by Athens:
Wont stop some one from coping it.

Uhm, then how about not putting it online ?

-t

rozwado1 · Dec 15, 2004, 05:18 PM

Originally posted by Peter:
make it all in flash

That would break the intarnet.

spacefreak · Dec 15, 2004, 05:22 PM

Originally posted by turtle777:
Uhm, then how about not putting it online ?

Or, before users can enter the site, they have to register and fax a signed agreement to you stating that they will not try to replicate a single piece of your site or business.

11011001 · Dec 15, 2004, 07:35 PM

Originally posted by Athens:
Wont stop some one from coping it.

But it should stop anyone from visiting it, and thus wanting to copy it.

macaddict0001 · Dec 15, 2004, 07:37 PM

a license agreement may be a requirement for your site.

Superchicken · Dec 15, 2004, 07:50 PM

If you simply want to prevent people from stealing your content flash is an option. However this also stops people form citing you. That said generally it's best to just be the best, and have original content. Original content is rarely stolen because if you stop they no longer have anything to take credit for.

f1000 · Dec 15, 2004, 07:53 PM

Patent law might help. There has been some precedence for patenting e-Business methods. In any case, you really need to read a good book on copyright law before you publish anything.

One of my most used books is "Patent It Yourself" by David Pressman. In it, he recommends several books on IP:

1) "Trademark: How to Name Your Business & Product," by McGrath & Elias (Nolo Press)
2) "Trade Secrets," by Pooley (Osborne-McGraw Hill)
3) "How to Copyright Software," by M.J. Salone (Nolo Press)

No form of IP protection is automatic. The sad fact is that you have to do your own diligence in fending off infringers. Patents, copyrights, trademarks, etc. simply give you legal ammunition to defend your turf, but you have to actively pursue and prosecute infringers. Think of a patent or a copyright as a weapon that must be wielded to be effective. The good new is that if you win, you can get a lot of money.

James L · Dec 16, 2004, 12:18 AM

The bottom line, with the internet especially, is that you CANNOT prevent people from stealing your information. If it is out there, and if they want it, then they will find a way to take it (and it isn't that difficult at all).

Look at all the work Apple puts into its software, and yet anyone can go onto Limewire right now and get all those apps for free! What recourse does Apple have? Well, they have trademarked their product. They make the end user sign an agreement. After that, it is all good faith and if you want to go after anyone who violates it then you turn to the courts.

I wouldn't waste anytime trying to come up with protection schemes, etc. Work on having a quality product that will attract and keep customers.

Cheers,

James