I think the broader point (I think?) is that first-time founders often run off to consult with a lawyer right out of the gate. As a result, they'll spend thousands of dollars, and lots of time, protecting themselves from imaginary legal threats -- time and dollars that should have been allocated to product development at this stage in the game.
If, at the moment, your startup consists of the proverbial two guys in a garage, it's highly unlikely that you need to spend $10,000+ on a lawyer's counsel and advice. Build your product first. You're not even on the radar yet, so it's not as if Google or Facebook even know who you are, let alone want to steal your idea. And chances are, someone's doing your idea anyhow. Chances are, ten people are doing your idea right now. Your best defense isn't legal action; it's product traction.
There's a time and a place for lawyers, but right up front is usually not it. Unless you've got some sort of truly innovative, groundbreaking technological innovation on your hands.
"There's a time and a place for lawyers, but right up front is usually not it. Unless you've got some sort of truly innovative, groundbreaking technological innovation on your hands."
The bigger problem I see is that many people actually think they've got something innovative, unique, groundbreaking or patentable. A "social network for dog lovers" is probably not patentable, certainly not that unique or groundbreaking, and none of it matters without execution and a userbase (ideally of paying customers). But I run in to many people who fret way too much over "how can I protect my (one and only) idea?!!"
We need have a "Founder's Daily Prayer":
"God grant me the wisdom to execute on the mundane aspects of my business, legal protection for the truly innovative and patentable aspects of my business, and the wisdom to discern between the two".
If, at the moment, your startup consists of the proverbial two guys in a garage, it's highly unlikely that you need to spend $10,000+ on a lawyer's counsel and advice. Build your product first. You're not even on the radar yet, so it's not as if Google or Facebook even know who you are, let alone want to steal your idea. And chances are, someone's doing your idea anyhow. Chances are, ten people are doing your idea right now. Your best defense isn't legal action; it's product traction.
There's a time and a place for lawyers, but right up front is usually not it. Unless you've got some sort of truly innovative, groundbreaking technological innovation on your hands.