i believe that in order to win in court about a patent you have to prove that you had teh idea first weather written OR verbally discussed with people 5 years previous even without a patent. BUT you will want to get a patent. i know a patent lawyer and he says to be TRUELY safe get yourself a patent and start hitting the pavement for people to manufacture your product, find ways to improve your product. market it yourself, you have the potential to make alot more money that way. you just have to do it. also possibly get yourself a partner with buisness background. maybe even a manufacturuing background.

with this being said.. im an Mechanical Engineer with Buisness background. lol anyway good luck with your venture. i hope you get to do what ever it is you are trying to achieve.