Is there any way you can protect your app idea from being filched? Of course, there are numerous steps you can take to prevent your app idea from being snatched! The first basic, yet essential, step towards protecting an app idea would be outsourcing to a reputable company, like Folio3.
With the launch of various app stores in the market, there has been an app boom in the app store markets. There is a constant rat race among different app designers to design an app that is unique, user friendly, and more competitive than the other apps on the market. This reflects how the app store markets are being competitive and striving to do good business.
However, that is just one side of the story. Since countless number of apps are being launched almost every day, the app designers are running out of new mobile app ideas. Hence, they resort to different lengths, whether ethical or unethical, in order to launch the most sought-after apps and be on top of their business game. The alarming increase in the rate of this type of cyber theft has caused a constant source of worry for app designers and developers. It would be no less than a nightmare to find out that your precious app idea has been ripped off, even before it hit the market. This would mean more harm to your business rather than seeing an increase in your sales profit, which you have always dreamt of.
In order to minimize the risks and reduce the chances of getting your app idea snatched, you should take fool-proof steps to ensure that this is possible. It is always a safe idea to take all precautions deemed necessary to protect your app idea from being stolen; better safe than sorry.
This brings us to the main question: how to protect your idea for an app? The answer is simple- pre-plan everything and analyze the reputation of all the companies you wish to work with. Furthermore, you can get some useful tips on how to protect your app idea from theft down below.
Only work with trustworthy partners
This is the first necessary precaution that has to be taken. You should outsource to a reputable company only. This saves up on any unforeseen circumstances in the future. There are many options available for such companies in the market, but you have to make the right decision. Always survey the market before choosing any particular company to work with. There is no harm in running a thorough background check of any potential company you wish to work with. This includes carefully going through their website, asking for references, reading client testimonials, and also taking feedback from them. One such highly esteemed and reputable company is Folio3. This company comprises of reputable and trustworthy professionals who would never sell your app idea to anybody, and neither would they steal your idea. Working with such a reputable company ensures that no confidential information regarding the app is leaked.
However, working with trustworthy people is just not enough. Some precautions have to be taken by the app creators too. This includes meeting people socially and not revealing any information to them regarding the app. Moreover, investing in a sound security system would also be fruitful. Getting a trustworthy and up to date anti-theft software could prevent anybody from hacking your app idea.
Signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
Only working with trustworthy partners is not enough to protect your app idea. For your measures to be fool-proof, it is always a good idea to involve legal contracts. This is a mutual agreement between both parties that if any confidential information is shared with a third-party, legal action would be taken against the company. Hence, the team members are fully aware of the consequences of leaking any confidential information to a third-party or even misusing the information in any way. Perhaps, it would be safe to say that it would be a good idea to hire a good reputable lawyer for formatting the NDA to make sure both parties are on the same page. However, signing an NDA does not protect your app idea completely. The key here is to work with reputable companies, such as Folio3.
Copyright your app
Copyrighting your app will prevent the plagiarism of your app. It will prevent another app developer from stealing your exact same content and producing a rip off of your app. However, there is a limitation of copywriting your app- you cannot copyright your app ‘idea.’ The app, after it has been made and designed, can only be copyrighted.
Trademarking your app
Trademarking, just like copyrighting, cannot be used to protect your app idea, but it can be used to protect your app after it has been designed. Trademarking your app will prevent other app designers from stealing your logos, icons, symbols, etc. associated with your app. To add a further layer of protection, you can trademark all the services and features of your app, preventing anybody from designing the same app as yours.
Filing for an app patent
The question is: can you patent an app? Yes, apps can be patented, but in certain countries, apps cannot be patentable because they don’t allow for software to be patentable. The app, as a whole, can be patented, but the code of the app cannot be patented since the laws of copyrighting already cover it. The patent issued can only protect the unique features of your app. Patents are not cheap, but if done with the right lawyer, they can also help protect your app idea. Hence, we can say that this justifies its cost. Moreover, patents also help in preventing your unique app functions from being snatched.
Using a Non-Compete Agreement
Just like the NDA, a lawyer is required to draft out the Non-Compete Agreement. This agreement is more like an internal affair of the company. It prevents all employees from sharing any app ideas or any confidential information with any third party or a rival company. Furthermore, this agreement also prevents employees who are currently working on your app to work on any other project, which could be a rival company for you. Even after your employees have completed your project, they are not allowed to work on your rival’s project for some time. Due to the exclusivity required by the clause of this agreement, many companies are hesitant to sign such a document. Protecting your app idea involves a few important and necessary steps, which could reduce the chances of your idea being ripped off. Adding more legalities makes your idea very safe, but it also adds an additional cost of hiring lawyers. Thus, the first and foremost primary step is to outsource a company like Folio3 to save up on most of the additional costs.