Prove that the idea was mine
"I have found a way to distil petrol using a new process. Because I do not have the financial means to start producing my machine on a larger scale myself, I contacted a couple of major manufacturers. I have already submitted an i-DEPOT because then I have proof that it is my invention, should one of my business contacts try to patent it."
What is an i-DEPOT not?
Forewarned is forearmed...
There is no statutory framework for the protection of ideas. The fact that you have registered your idea in an i-DEPOT does not mean that you hold a monopoly on that idea. Even so, another person should not be able to cash in on an idea that you discussed with him in good faith without paying you for its use. That would qualify as a wrongful act. In a situation like that, evidence such as that provided by an i-DEPOT may offer a solution.
The fact that you keep your i-DEPOT a secret does not mean that everybody else will do the same. In certain situations, including discussions with financiers, co-developers or manufacturers, it makes sense to ask your partners to agree not to reveal the contents of the negotiations. The i-DEPOT can be a convenient tool in this regard. For example, you can include your i-DEPOT number in the confidentiality agreement, so that in the case of wrongful publication you will be able to demonstrate that confidentiality agreements have been violated.
It is not a patent
For patent protection for your idea you will have to apply for a patent. If you submitted the i-DEPOT with a view to a technical invention as yet to be developed, it is important to keep the content of your i-DEPOT strictly secret in order not to jeopardise its eligibility for a future patent. So the fact that you submitted an i-DEPOT does not mean that you can disclose your invention without risk. This is because disclosure may harm the novelty of your idea, as a result of which it would no longer be eligible for patent protection. You cannot publicise your invention until you have filed a valid application for a patent. This is why the BOIP will strictly guard the secrecy of your i-DEPOT.
For further details about patents see Octrooicentrum Nederland (The Netherlands), L'Office de la Propriété Intellectuelle du Service public fédéral Economie, PME, Classes moyennes et Energie (Belgium) or Ministère de l’Economie et du Commerce extérieur, Direction de la Propriété Intellectuelle (Luxembourg).
It is not a design
If you submitted the i-DEPOT in order to protect a design, it is important to keep the content of your i-DEPOT strictly secret in order not to jeopardise its eligibility for future protection as a design filing. So the fact that you submitted an i-DEPOT does not mean that you can disclose your creation without risk. This is because disclosure may harm the novelty of your idea. We advise you, therefore, not to publicise your design until you have lodged a valid design filing. This is why the BOIP will strictly guard the secrecy of your i-DEPOT.
It does not vest any copyright
The content of an i-DEPOT may be a copyright-protected work. Copyright is established automatically as soon as a work is created, provided that said work is original. The i-DEPOT is a tool that enables you to prove the date on which a work existed.
It is not a trademark
The i-DEPOT may include an idea for an existing or future product or service. Products and services are generally put on the market provided with a distinctive trademark. The fact that you have submitted an i-DEPOT in which you mention a trademark to be used does not, in itself, guarantee protection for that trademark. Such protection can only be obtained by filing the trademark.