Legal timeline for a successful web startup?
jon_dahl: 1. You can probably file LLC papers with your state (or another state) for ~$200. I did that for my first company and didn't hire a lawyer until 3 years later. I highly recommend doing this before you launch your startup. You really should talk to a lawyer before launch, but this is better than nothing.2. Nothing stops someone from stealing your idea, except: (a) patents, (b) copyright, (c) trade secrets.You only have to file paperwork for (a), not (b) or (c).3. You can build on someone else's idea, unless it violates (a) or (b). (c) only protects you as long as it remains secret.4. Talk to a lawyer. :)