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About IdeaSecure
Do IdeaSecure's Staff have access to look at my idea?
No. We store and encrypt all file uploads as they are, without opening the file. The only exception to this is where we are asked to by the police or another legal body in the case of an investigation.
I'm having problems with the upload/registration/website - help!
For all support and other general queries, you can visit our contact page and tell us what the problem is. IdeaSecure aims to respond to all queries within 24 hours.
What if IdeaSecure ceases trading whilst I am registered?
In the highly unlikely event that IdeaSecure ceases trading, all registrations will still be honoured until their expiry date, and we have strict contingency plans in place in order to provide continued storage on our secure server.
What is your Privacy Policy?
Click here to view our Privacy Policy.
What are your Terms and Conditions?
Click here to view our Terms & Conditions.
About Protection
What can I protect?
Anything – as long as it can take a physical form that can be uploaded as a file - a written document describing it, a scan of it, a photo of it, a blueprint, a prototype, a design, and so on. If you’re not sure how best to protect your particular idea or work, then please contact us.
I thought you couldn't protect an idea?
Strictly speaking, ideas are notoriously difficult to protect, because it’s quite likely for two or more people to have the same idea within the same general time frame. However, showing a date of conception for the idea is very important, and can be protected and proven. For example, if two people apply for a very similar patent, and one can prove registered disclosure and/or conception before the other (as you can with IdeaSecure), they are likely to be awarded the patent (subject to the patent appraisal procedures). Protection becomes legally recognised when an idea takes the form of something tangible, a written document, a design, a novel, etc.
IdeaSecure provides two things that help you prove “you thought of it first”. Your idea is logged with us, and is therefore tangible, and can be used as evidence in court should a dispute arise. If you are fighting a court case to defend your own idea, you can order a copy of your registered work from IdeaSecure to use as part of your prosecution/defence case.
Secondly, you have a certified, independently-witnessed date of conception from an unbiased third party. No other service offers the comprehensive logging and registering of ideas and concepts that IdeaSecure does.
Where is my idea actually stored?
Once you have registered with IdeaSecure, your file is encrypted and moved to a secure offline server. This means that in the unlikely event of IdeaSecure’s online presence being hacked or compromised in any way, your file is still safe, and unable to be accessed by any unauthorised third parties. Unlike other services, who charge you separately for registration and then for back-up, IdeaSecure is an all-inclusive service that will provide a certificate of registration AND secure storage for the duration of your subscription. See About Registration for more details on what happens when you register with us.
Shouldn't I just post my documented idea to myself?
Posting a document to yourself (via registered mail or otherwise) always seems like a good, cheap way to prove copyright. In reality, it’s little more than an urban myth and easily forged – we have never heard of a court case that was settled by a self-posted idea.
Firstly, not all mail systems are reliable, and your document may get “lost in the post”. Secondly, you need a secure place to store the envelope. A safe deposit box is going to cost you more than our registration fee! Finally, nobody knows just how many times their idea may be brought into dispute (especially if it’s a really good one). To fight your corner, you’re going to have to open the envelope. What if another, larger dispute happens afterwards? You’re left with no protection. On top of this, it would be extremely expensive to prove that your self-posted envelope was not previously opened, and as you posted it to yourself, you have no witnesses. IdeaSecure provides an independent, impartial witness service that could save you a lot of hassle, worry… and postage costs.
What's wrong with using the © symbol to show Copyright?
The Copyright Symbol is indeed a universally-recognised symbol of intellectual property and copyright ownership. Copyright is technically yours as soon as the work is created. However… copyright infringement is abundant and still makes headline news year after year (the most recent example involving the Da Vinci Code). If you’ve ever ‘borrowed’ a picture or text from the web, have downloaded an mp3 or loaned your CD to a friend, you’ve infringed copyright laws. The © symbol will not put someone off who intends to copy your work for their own use, whether intentionally or not.
In this global age of information and the ease of transferring information, people who have a good idea should ensure they have adequate protection the day their idea is born… and can do so with IdeaSecure.
Is protection worldwide?
If you have a piece of work that falls under the scope of copyright in your own country, that protection will apply throughout the world thanks to the Universal Copyright Convention. Some countries have formal application procedures to prove/register copyright, and you can use your IdeaSecure registration as part of your application.
I'm involved in a dispute - how can you help?
If you are not already registered, unfortunately we cannot help as your work will already have been compromised. For registered users, although we cannot provide legal advice, IdeaSecure can provide an independently witnessed copy of your work as part as your evidence gathered for a dispute case. The fact that your idea has been independently witnessed, certified and documented could go significantly in your favour.
About Registation
How do I register with IdeaSecure?
Firstly, you’ll need to have your idea in digital file format (whether this is a document describing it, an illustration, or a design blueprint, and so on). For example, if your idea is only written on traditional pen and paper, you could scan it and then it becomes a (digital) picture file. You will be prompted to supply your personal and security information and to choose a password so that in the event that you have to request a copy of your work, we can ensure the copy is being sent only to the owner. After this, simply follow the instructions on our registration page to pay for the service and upload your file to our secure server. Following submission of all your details and credit card information, your digital file will be uploaded.
You will receive a confirmatory email with your registration certificate, serial number and the certified date of registration. You will also receive an email confirming payment of the registration fee.
I'm not from the UK, can I still register?
Yes, although we are a UK-based company we are happy to accommodate clients from all over the world in protecting their ideas. Copyright, when obtained, is a universal right across the world, recognised by all countries.
Are all file formats supported?
Yes, you can upload any file type to our server, as they are not opened or executed by IdeaSecure for additional security.
Is there a limit to the file size I can upload?
The maximum file size is 5mb. You may wish to zip larger files to keep them within this limit. If you have a larger or more complex file that you want to upload, please contact us.
Is there a limit to the number of files I can upload?
You should use one registration per unique file – you cannot protect two different ideas/concepts/works under one registration, as your Serial Number and certificate will only reference one file for security reasons. However, if, for example, you wish to submit a file comprising of small but interlinked pieces (such as a set of 6 photos as a model portfolio), you can zip the files and upload them as one registration.
Can I amend a file, once uploaded?
No, a file cannot be amended once registered. This is because IdeaSecure’s date-stamp and certification upon upload is the key to providing evidence that the file, in its original form, existed and was registered on a certain date. However, there is nothing to stop you making a new registration once your work has developed further.
Are IdeaSecure's credit card and upload services secure?
Yes. We use top industry-strength SSL (secure socket layer) certificates for both the upload process and the processing of your payment information. We are also registered and compliant with the Data Protection Act and will not disclose your information to any unauthorised third parties without your express permission. Our payments are administered by SecPay and Streamline, internationally trusted names for online payment processing.
What is IdeaSecure's storage facility?
Once uploaded securely, your file is moved to an offline secure server, is backed up at one of our UK premises, and is fully encrypted. Therefore it is inaccessible to any unauthorised party.
How do I retrieve my idea or show ownership of it?
Should you wish to retrieve your information, you should email us to request this. We’ll ask you to confirm some security and personal details to ensure you are the authorised owner of the work. Upon this request we will provide confirmation of the date of registration, date of retrieval and a copy of the digital file.
You have two retrieval options:
a) via email with your digital file attached, which is free of charge (however, note that emails are not a secure form of transmission)
b) By recorded postal delivery of a CD containing your digital file, for a small administration fee of £15.
In either case, we do not supply you with the only original copy in case your idea is disputed more than once.
Will you tell me when my registration expires and needs renewing?
Yes, IdeaSecure will give you a months’ notice before your registration expires, allowing you to renew it in good time and maintain protection without any vulnerable gaps in protection.
Can I cancel my registration before it expires?
Yes, you can… although we cannot give refunds for the unused part of the year. You should contact us directly if you wish to cancel your registration.
What happens if I change my personal information after registering?
You are advised to inform IdeaSecure of any change of personal information, and we will then update our records.
What happens if I forget my password?
Your password will be emailed to your current email address once we confirm your security information.
