I’m a computer sciences students here in Miami. I developed a computer implemented social networking system and I’ve been showing it to potential investors. I’ve been having all of those investors sign a professional, very strict and very detailed NDA with me before showing them my slides. I don’t have a patent though. My question is, even though I’m not an american citizen, green-card holder or have a business visa. Am I still protected by my professional NDA ???
NDA = Non Disclose Agreement , Confidentiality Agreement.
Supposedly you are still covered by all legal protections in US law. You just are not allowed to work, etc., under the provision of your F-1.
That said, what will you do if someone decides to steal your idea anyway? A lawyer will not take a case like this on contingency and the state prosecutors do not handle civil matters. An NDA, like a patent is a license to hire a lawyer and there isnot a lot you can do unless you have the big bucks needed to hire a lawyer.
See www.tinaja.com for an inventor’s take on patents. Anything under an NDA is just like a patent. They do the little guy no good at all.