Who do you trust?

How can you "outsource" a top secret project?

[Frequent]

Let's say you have an idea for a web site that you think could be HUGE and compete with some of the big boys. You also know that the project is beyond your scope and skill and would have to outsource much of the work? (We are talking ebay level complexity.)

Given a very limited budget, this idea would almost certainly have to be farmed out overseas and also given the number of rip off artists out there how do you procede and still protect your idea?

Do you outsource a "basic" build that doesn't incorporate the cutting edge ideas with plans to integrate them later?

Do you just sit on the idea (possibly forever) until you have the resources to do it right?

Do you look for a partner organization that has the resources to do the entire project in house and that you trust will not steal the idea?

Can a web site concept be registered and protected in some fashion so you can shop it around to the big players?

Freq---

[treeline]

I trust my brohter. Problem is, sometimes it's hard to motivate him to help me in his spare time. He's got what it takes though.

You can farm a project out in small enough pieces that nobody has enough to use against you later.

Contracts probably only help with the honest ones.

[celgins]

If it's really a huge, "Ebay-type" project, then is there a way for you to secure capital to start the project?

Depending on what it is, there are always grants and/or loans to start business projects.

Outside of that, I would definitely protect my name. If you have a business venture and looking to grow it by including others, have those contracts ready to be signed!

[Demaestro]

What you want to do is draft a non-disclosure contract. I would consult ones already drafted or get a lawyer. Then anyone who you are requesting proposals from or anyone you are "feeling out" for doing the work you should have them sign the non-disclosure agreement. This will give you recoruse if your idea is stolen while you are trying soliciting someone to do the work on it.

I sign them all the time before I get look over someones "request for proposal". If they won't sign then you wouldn't you want them doing work for you anyway.

Yes Freq a site concept can be registered. I have seen some website ideas that have patents. I will sticky you the link to one so you can see they have only patented concept, nothing is actually built.

[bhartzer]

An NDA is always a good idea. If you must work with just one person or one firm, then getting references and/or working with someone you trust is a good practice.

Another option would be top break up the project into a lot of smaller "projects" so the people you outsource it to only knows about part of the project and not the entire project.

[bcolflesh]

NDA is a good idea if the outsourcer is in the USA, or a few East European countries - anywhere else it's useless/unenforceable.

[Demaestro]

BTW:

NDA will also apply in Canada and should be enforacable.

[Harry]

Asking the question is answering it, don't you think?