If you have an exciting idea for a new mobile app, but are new to the world of mobile app development, you can make the common mistake of giving less thought to what should concern you most: protecting your idea. The moment you get the bright idea for your mobile app, it’s time to start protecting it. Here are some tips, gleaned from our years of experience working with startups, that you should consider:

1. Always use a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a standard document that you can use to protect your app idea. Before you discuss your app idea with anyone, even in vague terms, you should get an NDA signed by them. This document will hold the signatories liable for damages if they show their idea to anyone. You can easily obtain NDAs from your lawyer or online legal services. Make sure the people who sign them use their formal name and that the form includes accurate contact information. NDA is a very important document that you want to use to secure your application idea.

2. Disclose information selectively
You don’t want to give a full description of your app idea, especially in the early stages of development. For example, if you want to discuss your idea with an app developer to get a quote, you don’t have to show your idea in its entirety. You can hide some of its key features and get the estimates for the standard features. Once you build some trust in the relationship, you will be able to show more information.

3. Learn more about the container
Before you show your information to someone, you want to research them and find out their history, authenticity, and credentials. If you’re pitching your idea to an app development company, make sure it’s well established, has been in the market for a long time, and has met other startups. Reputable mobile app development companies are dedicated to keeping your idea safe. However, if you’re talking to a freelancer who doesn’t have any established track records, you should take extra precautions. If you are talking to a professional investor, venture capitalist, or angel investor, who has a history of investing in apps, you may find them more trustworthy than someone who did not have a public image or prior investment history. However, get a signed NDA before any discussion of your app idea.

4. Publish your MVP app sooner rather than later
You must publish your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) application as soon as possible. Once you publish your app and it’s publicly available, your idea is protected by copyright law since you’re the first to publish it. Published apps are safe in the same way under copyright law as published books. The sooner you publish your app, the better your protection. In addition, you will have the advantage of being the first to move in the market.

5. Create your design and trademark file
Before developing your mobile app, which can be time consuming, you can first create your app layout. Design work normally takes no more than 5-6 weeks. Once this is done, you can include your design, logo, and requirements in a trademark application. This will give you some protection. It’s not as strong as a patent, but you can still use it in court if someone tries to copy your great idea.

6. Apply for a provisional patent if necessary
Applying for a patent is not easy. It is a process that consumes a lot of time and money. If you think your idea is unique and you want to patent it, you can start with a provisional patent. Filing a provisional patent is relatively easier, as you can do it yourself without a lawyer. You can go to the USPTO website and do the entire process online. Your idea will then be protected for one year. During that year, you’ll get enough feedback on your idea to decide if it really is great and should have full patent protection. At that point, you will want to get the help of an attorney to apply for a patent.