I have a website and a new web portal that im about to release this summer. My idea is something that i believe is very unique to the web. Is there a way that i can protect my idea after i release (or before). I dont want to find out that there are a bunch of clones out there stealing my customers.

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It's better to do business with me than against me!

Competition is a normal part of doing business.

Your best protection is to do what you do well and try to be the best.

Give the end user a reason to choose you over someone else.

Business concepts are open to competition. If you can find some way that hasn't been patented for doing your business or you can develop a patentable function then you can possibly protect yourself.

There are 1000's of patents dealing with how things are done on the Internet. I've been through 100's of them regarding various processes regarding shopping carts. Many times patents are granted, but the company doesn't press its right of protection.

Eolas has chosen to spend several dollars to fight their battle against Microsoft. Amazon chose to protect its one-click checkout process, but has since let that pass. There are other intances, if you search for them.

I would recommend you review the information found at www.uspto.gov, if you are in the US. I don't know the location for other countries, but you can start with your main government web site.

I hope this helps.

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Lee Roberts