Discussion:
If I have an idea for a internet service and I would like discuss this idea and offer the idea for sale to AOL or some other online provider, is there any way I can protect my idea and not have a company simply steal it after talking to me?
Answer:
You can try to get them to sign a confidentiality agreement, BUT with so many people claiming to have "new ideas" most firms will not sign anything as they don't know who you are, and justifiably fear that you'll wind up suing them for something obvious that they may have in process or is elsewhere in the public domain . IF you can first apply for and expect to get a patent on your invention, you'd be protected.