Legal Question in Intellectual Property in New Jersey

an idea

My question would consider intellectual property law. Well, I'm contacting a certain company for a business agreement of selling a know-how (economic term for an idea) which the company could use for the creation of a new product. Since I know that an idea for a product can't be protected by a patent or copyright (cause it's an idea - not a patent or a copyrighted book, for example), I'm asking you how to protect my idea from beeing stolen. Do I need some legal documents from the Court of law, or I just need to, somehow, mark the document containing an idea. Also, how should I write a contract which would (after beeing signed by both sides) guarantee a protection of the idea, and of course, guarantee me the financial payment, cause I don't know too much about law. Another thing, that would be important to say is that I'm not a United States citizen, and I'm not living in the U. S. I'm contacting the company (mentioned above) via e-mail, from my home in Croatia. Thank you in advance for your help!


Asked on 3/04/02, 1:41 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Martin Jenkins Martin Jenkins PLLC

Re: an idea

Actually, an idea can be patented. (For many inventions, that is all there is--an idea without any working model.)

But your immediate concern can be best addressed by a "non-disclosure agreement". For a draft you might use, see my website, www.martinjenkins.com, click on Articles and Memos, then click on Non-disclosure agreement.

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Answered on 3/04/02, 2:29 pm
Irving M. Weiner Weiner & Burt, P.C.

Re: an idea

Depending on the nature of your idea, it may be protected by patent. Let me know if you would like me to email to you an Invention Disclosure form to document, date and witness your idea, and a Confidential Disclosure Agreement.

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Answered on 3/04/02, 10:17 pm


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