A patent and a copyright are only as good as your pocket is deep. They will keep honest people honest. I hate to say it, if someone big wants to steal your idea, then you have to take them to court and that can be costly and time consuming.
A good friend of mine had a patent and a copyright on an item, that he manufactured in his own factory. He was doing very well with it and his business was growing. Started out regionally and was slowly growing nationally. This was back in the 80's, so no Walmart or Chinese to contend with. He attached the attention of Disney. Started selling some of his products to them. Increased production, was starting to make some real money. All of the sudden he discovered someone in the State of Washington, was copying is product, exactly. They were selling to Disney on the west coast, started selling to them after he did. Actually went into business after his Disney contract date, wonder where they got the idea or how bank rolled them.
He went after them. Had to hire a patent and copyright attorney in the Washington area. In the 80's his up front cost was $10K, just to start the case. It didn't take very long before he ran out of $$$. Which basically bankrupted his company. The other company, the last he checked they were still in business, still making his product, in China now and now selling to Disney world wide. Oh and the Chinese don't care about patents and copyrights, they just go ahead and produce the product and sell around you. They even will shut you out of your factory and start producing for your competition. I know of two companies in my industry, that this has happened to.
If it was me, I would go with the patent/copyright process. But be ready to have to make a decision on what you are going to do if someone tries to steal your idea. Copyrights are easy to get, anybody can get one. It is my understanding that for a Patent you pretty well have to hire an attorney. I would ask them about protecting your patent/copyright.
Kent
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