We have put precautions in place to protect IP. Should members choose, they can keep certain parts of their idea or brief confidential until a particular user is specifically authorized to view it. There are non-disclosure agreements built into the site that a viewer must sign before being allowed to see the more confidential aspects of an idea. In addition, we require user registration and track individuals using the site. Thus, we maintain a record of who has seen what that could be discoverable in legal proceedings. It is worth mentioning this is more protection than IP currently receives when it comes to discussing across a table in closed meetings.

That said, it should be understood that unrealized ideas are quite hard to legally protect. Therefore, if your idea is so valuable you couldn’t bear to see it taken, then you shouldn’t post it on The ideaLists.

I’ll also add two cents more on the topic since it’s the first question creatives tend to ask me about the site: in today’s information-driven world, we are all absorbing the same cultural memes. With this in mind, any idea you might have, it’s a pretty good bet five other people have a similar one. At that point it becomes all about the one who executes first while the other four say: “Oh I had a similar idea once but…” By posting here, at least you can be first to lay claim to an idea in a controlled, semi-pubic forum.

One more note: should a company want to create their own enclosed idea sharing network rather than share with ours, we are offering white labeling services and already in discussions with a few companies to build ideaLists for them… And in future site updates, we will allow members to create their own groups within the site, only sharing with those invited in.