Question

How can the organization protect new service concepts from competitors when service processes cannot be readily patented ?

Answer 1

It is quite natural to have fear in the mind of the the organisations top management that the service concept could be stolen by the competitors when they know it has not been readily patented. Sooner or later ,the organisation has to ask an industry or experts to evaluate their service. There is a need to collaborate with the distributor. But the cost of patenting  may be in thousands or lakhs and may take years to be issued. You can't afford to wait so long to bring your new service concept into the market.

There are few creative ways to actively protect your new service concepts without applying for the patent. The strategies that will protect your service idea from being stolen are:

Do your research

Before we start working on a new service concept and begin to work with someone new to the work; be an individual or an organisation, we have to do some research online . Do to the people or the organisation we are working have a good track record? Did we find any complaints about the business practices ?. if you find a cause, consider asking about it ,as we know that everything we find online is not true. We can use the three legal tools with the help and under the supervision of an attorney. They are:

* Non - disclosure agreements ( NDA) : A non - disclosure agreement can be a mutual agreement between the parties to not to share information with third parties or it can also give one way since you are sharing information about your service concept with them. There must be someone with or to sign a non disclosure agreement that commits to confidentiality . If the agreement does not have an expiry date, it's really powerful.

* Non- compete agreement: if an organisation hire someone to help them to develop the service concept, have him sign a non-compete agreement . It prevents an individual or an organisation from starting a business that would compete or threaten the organisations business within an established radius.

* Work for hire agreement: if an organisation hire someone to hel p and fine tune the new service .One should make sure to that the service you own and any and all improvements made to that concept are own. And,an Organisation still need to have the lists of  the people who came up with the improvements and are co-inventor in your concept, but they will have no rights to your initiative.

Turn to the Patent or Trademark office for help

Fortunately, patents are not the only tools available to protect your new inventions. First ,one should file a provisional patent application. Organisation can do this on their own self online. Moreover ,patent and Trademark officers also have Call Centres available with staff members on hand to answer questions and of the guidance. A provisional patent application protects the invention for up to one year and allows you to label your invention as patent pending . An organisation can use this to gain an invaluable Insight for the year.

Build relationships with competitors

This may sound impractical, but establishing the mutually beneficial relationships with their competitors is one of the best ways to protect your new service invention. Competitors helping each other on business should not be seen as a threat even though they share the same market space in reality. They should respect one another .

CONCLUSION

These tips will make it harder for the competitors to steal the new service concept of the organisation. With any legal document, be sure to consult an attorney to guarantee the accuracy and protection of of the concept.