The way to avoid being shafted in a business arrangement is to avoid doing business with people who will shaft you.
Realistically, it's very hard to protect an idea about a way to do business. Someone will always say that they had the idea first, and how can you prove they didn't? And if the idea is good, and semi-obvious, everyone else will copycat.
Contracts are enforceable, but any business lawyer will (should) tell you that once you pay the costs of litigation, you may be broke, anyway. Also, if you have to file suit, lawsuits are public records, and litigation is conducted in public courtrooms, so the idea will go into the public domain, regardless.
In my opinion the best thing to do is to turn the idea into a business plan, and form a business relationship with people you trust. Sell yourself as a consultant, or a subcontractor, or a manager. |
