Julie, Other than legal forms of protection, there are a few general rules to follow. 1.Work with people you trust – this may seem elementary but trust your gut with people and don’t be afraid to look into their background if you are working with them professionally. 2. Have contracts in place with all your “agents” (lawyers, business advisors, etc.). A good idea would be to have anyone you work with sign a general Non-Disclosure agreement, this will give you basic protection if anything goes bad. 3. Diligently record your work process, having documented proof of your idea will give you a strong case if anyone challenges your originality. All this being said, the true drive behind an invention’s success is the inventor’s initiative. You might think you have fresh, innovative idea, but chances are good that someone has already imagined something very similar. The point is not to discourage, but to encourage you to take the initiative and turn your idea into a success. Don’t be so worried about somebody else discovering your idea that you fail to take the necessary steps to actualize your concept.