Every day, innovative ideas are being created by startups that hope to be the next big thing. Internet-based crowdfunding allows inventors and startups to market and finance their inventions via online crowdfunding platforms such as kickstarter.com. These platforms have changed the way inventors and startups market their ideas and finance them. However, entrepreneurs who use these platforms may be unable to protect their new ideas by disclosing their inventions before filing for patent protection. Startups seeking funding need to plan carefully in order not to lose their valuable intellectual property rights.
Table of Contents
Can Your Idea Be Stolen from Kickstarter?
Do You Need a Patent for Kickstarter?
What is Kickstarter’s Copyright Policy?
What is Kickstarter’s Trademark Policy?
Steps to Follow Before You Launch Your Kickstarter Campaign
Can Your Idea Be Stolen from Kickstarter?
Yes, an idea on Kickstarter can be stolen. This is especially true if a sophisticated manufacturer simply locates top trending projects on Kickstarter and copies the idea. It may shock you that some projects face cloned products on the market even before the conclusion of the Kickstarter fundraise.
If your project is successful, you will receive funding from the crowd-funding website Kickstarter. The problem is that this kind of funding is not protected by non-disclosure agreements, which are common in the world of new businesses. If your project doesn’t have any patents, companies with money are more likely to steal ideas. While it is rare for crowdfunding projects to be stolen from creators, it is possible for a savvy competitor to take your idea and run with it.
Relying on your head start won’t cut it. A rough prototype of your product does not give you sufficient first mover advantage. But it doesn’t have to be a full-blown theft if you have a clear idea and can secure basic intellectual property protections as detailed below.
Do You Need a Patent for Kickstarter?
You must be careful when using Kickstarter. It’s crucial that your idea is protected by a patent. And, this is what makes it unique. Prior to any public disclosure, including publishing a crowdfunding proposal, you should consider filing a patent application to protect your rights. A crowdfunding site like Kickstarter is a great way to build a brand and get noticed. Don’t let it become an avenue for copycats. Many well-funded companies take their products and sell them in other countries.
Your idea can be stolen from a crowdfunding sites. If you have a great idea, you’re better off building a relationship with the people behind the project. For example, you can make an agreement with other companies to work together. This will prevent anyone from stealing your ideas. The idea will also help you protect your brand from counterfeiting. There are various ways to keep your idea safe from piracy.
Before you launch your kickstarter campaign, you should ensure that your project is protected by a patent. You should also make sure your kickstarter campaign contains a comprehensive list of your intellectual property, including any trade secrets. If you’ve got them, they will protect your intellectual property in case your ideas fail. If your idea is too innovative, a patent application will protect your IP.
Once you have secured your patent application, you can tell the world that your project is patent-pending. A provisional patent application will protect your ideas, so your startup will have the chance to gain international recognition. The final step is to launch on kickstarter. The process is relatively easy and cheap. If your idea has potential, it can be a huge success in the crowdfunding world.
What is Kickstarter’s Copyright Policy?
Kickstarter’s copyright policy outlines the procedures for reporting copyright infringement and maintaining a DMCA takedown notice. Infringers can be held liable for damages, attorneys’ fees, and other penalties if their materials are misrepresented or infringing. DMCA takedown notices can be filed by any party, even if the project does not infringe the rights of another party.
In addition to its copyright policy, Kickstarter has a transparency report that lets people know how it handles legal requests. Unlike tech companies, Kickstarter projects aren’t often the target of law enforcement investigations. However, some projects have been subject to claims under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. While these claims are relatively rare, they do affect some Kickstarter projects. This policy helps developers avoid pitfalls and ensures that they have a strong defense in the event of a legal dispute.
While Kickstarter does not have funds under its custody, creators must honor all promised rewards. As such, the company will not issue refunds to backers if they discover any infringing content. For a successful crowdfunding campaign, the promotional video should feature copyright-clear, 100% licensed content. If you don’t own the rights to a track, you’ll have to license it from the original copyright holder.
In fact, Kickstarter’s copyright policy is very clear. For example, it states that it will remove infringing content if a competitor is using the same idea. It also notes that cloned games are already out there. Nevertheless, it is still possible for your game to be successful on Kickstarter, but you should always keep in mind the DMCA policies of the crowdfunding site.
What is Kickstarter’s Trademark Policy?
Before you advertise on Kickstarter, it is important to make sure your brand is protected under the law. Kickstarter’s trademark policy includes your brand name and your title. You’ll want to make sure the name is unique and not recognizable to others. It’s a good idea to register your brand as early as possible, since crowdfunding can put your brand in danger. It’s vital to be prepared to protect your brand, which can be difficult for an emerging brand. The right trademark protection can also protect your business. When it comes to the internet, you’ll be able to protect your brand with a trademark.
To protect your brand, you should file for a trademark before you release any information on Kickstarter. It’s also wise to register your catch name. By obtaining this domain, you’ll avoid any potential legal disputes in the future. Common law trademark rights should apply once your product is shipped to consumers. You can also do a thorough trademark clearance search by working with a competent IP attorney in your home jurisdiction. In addition to patents, you may want to consider registering your trademark in your own jurisdiction. This can prevent your product from being copied by others.
In order to protect your brand, you should file a trademark application as an intent-to-use unless you have interstate sales prior to the listing. The USPTO defines use in commerce as “use in commerce.” This means that your game has already been sold or associated with other goods. This is very important because the internet is a global marketplace and it is crucial to protect your brand against competitors.
Steps to Follow Before You Launch Your Kickstarter Campaign
There are many important steps to follow before you launch your kickstarting campaign. The following steps assume that you have protected your ideas with a patent application and may be a trademark application. Don’t forget copyright application on your design as well.
Step #1: get your project approved by the relevant platform
This can take several days. Once approved, you will have to submit a detailed plan that includes all the details of your campaign. You can also use tools to make your project stand out among the competition. Before you launch your kickstarter campaign, you should prepare for it.
Step #2: contact writers to tell them about your project
Write thank-you notes and reach out to them personally. This is an excellent way to spread the word about your project. After that, you should send emails to your team and thank them for their contribution. Your campaign should be brief, with at least 30 days. This is the time to post updates, provide an estimated delivery date, and send out thank-you notes. Once your project is live, you can begin the next phase of the crowdfunding process.
Step #3: launch your kickstarter campaign
After you have made the necessary preparations, you should launch your crowdfunding campaign. It is vital to share your preview page with at least 10 friends. In order to reach out to your target audience, you can create a weekly calendar. Include your social media links and your project’s website link in the email. After you have launched your campaign, send emails to backers to thank them for their support.
Step #4: promote your campaign
You can use social media to spread the word about your project and ask them to share it with their networks. You can send newsletters to them and thank them for their contributions. People who are not close to you can also help you. During the campaign, your team can also share your campaign on forums. Once you have done this, you can focus on answering questions.
You should know what your target audience is looking for and the reward tiers you want. Once you have these details, you can start the campaign. Remember that the more information you provide, the more people will support your project. You can ask them to share their knowledge and advice. If they have a passion for your project, they can be a great resource for you. If you want your fans to get more information about your campaign, you can contact them directly and ask for help.
Once you have received approval from the crowdfunding platform, you can now start building your campaign. There are many tools available to help you make your campaign successful. You can use these tools to get a more successful kickstarter campaign. The steps you take before you launch your kickstarter campaign will depend on the size of your project. You should spend a lot of time on the site, so you can attract more backers and build your brand.
When you have a product, you can share images of the project. This is an effective way to raise funds. In addition to sharing your idea, you can also include the details of your products or services. You should provide enough information to encourage people to support your project. The Kickstarter campaign will increase your chances of being successful.
Now Over to You
In short, the first step in kickstarting your project is to secure patent, trademark and copyright protection prior to launching on Kickstarter. The process is complicated, but it can be done quickly with PatentPC. This will ensure your project’s intellectual property rights remain protected for years to come. Once you’ve protected your project, you can start your fundraising campaign. In the end, a successful crowdfunding campaign will result in a high return on investment. Creating a successful Kickstarter campaign involves a lot of work. But when you’ve done it, the rewards will be worth the effort.