ORIGINAL: wait4itwait4it
a simple way protect your idea is to take all your papers drawings etc.. get them notarized (sp). The next step is to mail them to yourself by certified mail. When you recieve them don't open them until someone tries to steal your idea then you sue them. you win they fail.
If you think sueing is a way to win you haven't been in court enough. Legal issues suck and usually if someone has stolen your idea they have more money than you. Even if you win you lose.
The best ideas are those that can't be copied easily.
I don't mean to be a doomsdayer but another issue to contend with is making any real money without getting your stuff into the Big Boxes (Wal-Mart, Kmart etc...) is pretty tough. They have very significant rules about how much they buy how much you can supply. Also many times they will want you to own the inventory until sold. Means you could be on the hook indefinetly for returns etc... They can in a lot of cases also charge for space. Fits in with the inventory concept.
The little guy has amazing obsticles these days.
Tom