To begin with, investors have better things to do than stealing an idea /
or hijacking a product.  The only way that one would get squeezed is how
the stock structure is re-created, but then people expect entrepreneur to
be smart!

In simple terms it is all about the 'Team', Strategy & *Execution* - than
the product, ideas and other intangible things.  It has been a joke among
investors that only 'losers' whine about someone stealing their
ideas/products - like Winklevoss.

There were lot of great ideas and products ended up in Trash because of
failure of strategy and execution.

Saravana - Product Manager
http://www.gotlove.in

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 [HeadStart] How to protect product from potential
investors?<http://groups.google.com/group/bangaloreocc/t/a045e51269cd16a3>

   Hariprakash Agrawal <hari...@gmail.com> Sep 17 02:48PM +0530

   Good to see that various perspectives are pouring in. Thanks to Pankaj,
   Nik, Vinayak and Kat for their additions...

   One point, I would like to highlight that I am not so concerned abt idea
   but my interest is to protect 'Product' in short term (say, at least 6
   months to 1 yr post launch) hence the subject line. I am sure that in >7
   billion people, many people can think of same/similar idea. I know that
   there are companies/individuals in similar space but I like to believe
   that
   we are different in some ways.

   Kat, I like your line that "if you have 100% vision some one copies the
   idea will not be able to execute the way you would do" and believe that
   we
   are thinking for almost next 5-7 yrs how it should grow. The only HITCH
   is
   MONEY:) hence director with story need producers :)

   Vinayak, Ridepal seems to be different than us but a good idea and heavy
   on
   investment.

   Nik, not sure how do you say that "till date across the world there is
   been
   not even a single case of idea being stolen ". It seems to be a feeling
   rather fact. I take away this line from you "USP's can be copied but an
   entire business idea is impossible ". As I said, idea itself is
   known/implemented in some forms but we do have some USPs on which we are
   banging on hence cautious that someone can take these USPs and bring
   their
   product sooner than us.

   Pankaj highlighted one important point that what if investor has similar
   company in his/her portfolio? I see the risk and will be prepared now.
   Another point which is noteworthy that investors invest in team rather
   only
   idea. I agree because our discussion with investor started only because I
   carry IITian+Entrepreneur tag otherwise I dont know them and they dont
   know
   me. I have seen many individuals got funding due to their educational
   background or the kind of companies they worked for before jumping to
   entrepreneuship.

   Regards,
   Hariprakash Agrawal (Hari),
   http://www.facebook.com/OpCord