Hi folks, I have what I consider to be a new and unique innovative idea. This idea revolves around the world of online gambling and I believe, if one of the big on line gambling firms in the uk, ie WILLIAM HILL or LADBROKES took this idea on then it would revolutionise the way the betting public used their site. I've never been involved in anything like this before and don't really know what I should be doing next. I'm reluctant to approach any of these firms in case I give them too much info and they say they are not interested then some time later they take the idea on and I have no come back. The idea I know would suit both the Bookmakers and punters alike. There really is no way that bookmakers could lose out with NOT taking the idea forward and I know that I as a punter and a small number of friends who I have ran the idea by would also use this idea and product if it was available so in my opinion it would be a win win situation. The gambling world from a punters point of view is all about getting VALUE no matter what sport or event you are betting on and also no matter whether your potential winnings are in the tens/hundreds or thousands. This idea is all about whoever takes the idea on keeping their clients from betting with other firms and I believe I have come up with the answer and method for them to be able to keep these clients without them jumping ship to other online betting companies. Any help/info would be greatly appreciated.
GT
New Inovattive idea.
Hi Gav,
As you say, the problem here is mainly about protecting the confidntiality of your idea when you pitch it to a betting company. And the problem with copyright is that it is not idea itself which is protected, but the actual fixation of the idea in some manner. Thus if you write it down, what you write - the selection and order of the words you use - is what is protected from un-authorised copying, rather than the idea behind them. And you can't apply for a patent on a business process, which is what your idea seems to resemble.
So I think the best way to approach this is use the common law concept of confidentiality. This is often used when pitching an idea such as a game show concept to a TV company.
To do this properly, I suggest you need to speak to a solicitor who specialises in media, commercial and IP law who can help you draw up a document which when signed by someone, binds them to keep confidential what they are about to be told. You can get some more information here: http://www.gillhams.com/dictionary/24.cfm. If the company you approach likes the idea you can then licence them to use it while retaining ownership of the idea for further exploitation. However, once one company adopts your idea, and it becomes well-known, there is little you can do to prevent others from copying the idea without paying you, and the initial confidentiality will no longer apply.
As you say, the problem here is mainly about protecting the confidntiality of your idea when you pitch it to a betting company. And the problem with copyright is that it is not idea itself which is protected, but the actual fixation of the idea in some manner. Thus if you write it down, what you write - the selection and order of the words you use - is what is protected from un-authorised copying, rather than the idea behind them. And you can't apply for a patent on a business process, which is what your idea seems to resemble.
So I think the best way to approach this is use the common law concept of confidentiality. This is often used when pitching an idea such as a game show concept to a TV company.
To do this properly, I suggest you need to speak to a solicitor who specialises in media, commercial and IP law who can help you draw up a document which when signed by someone, binds them to keep confidential what they are about to be told. You can get some more information here: http://www.gillhams.com/dictionary/24.cfm. If the company you approach likes the idea you can then licence them to use it while retaining ownership of the idea for further exploitation. However, once one company adopts your idea, and it becomes well-known, there is little you can do to prevent others from copying the idea without paying you, and the initial confidentiality will no longer apply.
Advice or comment provided here is not and does not purport to be legal advice as defined by s.12 of Legal Services Act 2007
Hi Gav,
I'm afraid that's not an untypical cost of an agreement of this type. With that you would be getting a high degree of confidence that the agreement would be tailored to your needs and not have any loopholes. It should also be covered by the lawyer's professional insurance.
A less foolproof but cheaper alternative would be to use what is known as a boilerplate agreement which you tailor yourself. An example can be found here: http://www.own-it.org/contracts/3
I'm afraid that's not an untypical cost of an agreement of this type. With that you would be getting a high degree of confidence that the agreement would be tailored to your needs and not have any loopholes. It should also be covered by the lawyer's professional insurance.
A less foolproof but cheaper alternative would be to use what is known as a boilerplate agreement which you tailor yourself. An example can be found here: http://www.own-it.org/contracts/3
Advice or comment provided here is not and does not purport to be legal advice as defined by s.12 of Legal Services Act 2007