Original (I think) website idea, what now?

I think I have an original idea for a website business. I don't really know where to go with it next though.

How can I:-
A. Ensure that it is original (I've searched all over the web and can't find it anywhere else)
B. Ensure nobody rips me off

My plan was to host a website with this business idea on a small scale.. would this make it my idea to own, or could somebody legally just copy it and use it on a bigger scale?

And also.. if I have just missed the fact that somebody else has already thought of and implemented this idea, I'm guessing I could be sued so how can I be 100% sure this doesn't happen.

I can help with the what now. You can take your website idea to a web host like the one found at http://www.tobuildyour.com and they will assist you in designing your website around your ideas and help you to get targeted traffic to your site. You can get your website copyrighted. I am not sure how to ensure that your idea is original. I would assume that if your idea is original to you and that you can't find it anywhere on the web then you are probably safe to get it started. I would suggest that you search for a professional that can register your idea. Upon registration process you should find whether or not the idea has been taken. I hope this helps you to get going on building your dreams. I am looking forward to seeing you and your website idea on the net. Keep me/us posted.

BEST WISHES & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

If someone else is already operating a similar site they can request you take your site down. If they have a patent on the site then the can sue you if you fail to take your site down.

They need to ask first though.

u have to have a patent for it to make sure it is unique .....check with patent body....alot of people register thier ideas but never implement it ....

Is it possible to copyright a website? I don't think so. By definition anything placed on the web is in the public domain. The obvious exceptions being copyrighted material that is placed there.

Since there is no way to legally protect a website you need not be concerned with being sued. Sadly, you need not worry about being ripped off, because if it is a good idea that will indeed happen.

If your idea is truly unique, and if the website is actually going to be a marketing bonanza, then the only way to protect your "ownership," of the idea is to mail yourself a letter describing in detail what you are proposing to do. Send the letter either via registered or certified mail, with a signature receipt required. At least this will establish the date that you had the idea.

Arthur C. Clarke, of science fiction fame, invented the Geo-synchronous communication satellite. Robert A. Heinlein, also of science fiction fame, invented the water bed. Both of these authors described their ideas in detail. Neither ever received a single copper coin for royalties or other payment.

Good luck. I look forward to seeing the new website. And, for what it is worth, I promise to not rip it off. Not capable of doing so actually.

I think you鈥檒l be OK.
You could be sued for infringing copyright if your site used components taken from another site. But as long as the design, text & images are yours you鈥檒l be OK.

As for the core idea, I doubt it can be patented. As a for example someone must have been the first to come up with the idea of Internet dating sites. But today there are 100鈥檚 of them all operating more or less in the same way.

Only if you are selling a novel and new product could you patent that, to stop people stealing it. But you can鈥檛 patent the idea of selling it via the web.
This does mean you could find copy-cat sites springing up, and you wouldn鈥檛 be able to do much about them. Particularly if based on other countries.

Patent law & Copyright
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/patent.htm
http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/copyri...

If in doubt you need to take legal advice.

This might help

http://www.newbizuk.com/Sub/HSB_Online_B...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Keep the idea secret for as long as possible. Speak to a solicitor and get your basic idea documented and time stamped and kept in a safe. There is generally no real sure proof way of protecting an internet idea. Look at last minute.com and the immediate growth of copy cat sites. Generally if someone attempts to sue you then let them try. It will cost them a fortune. Time stamping your idea with a solicitor, magistrate or JOP will at least prove when you had your idea.

If someone else is doing the same thing then look on the brightside, at least now you know it is a viable proposition. Given the huge numbers of internet users, at least two of you are bound to have the same idea. Just do it and see what happens. if you have a genuinley viable idea, then your competition will most likley buy you out rather than attempt suing you. It's cheaper that way!!!

Best of luck