A major method of protecting business ideas from being copied by others is through seeking patent protection. Patents have been in existence for centuries. It is an internationally recognised legal structure for protecting valuable business ideas and products. However, over recent times the value of patents has been questioned.

The issues you might want to think about is: are patents only good for big forms? Do patents restrict the ability of small firms to come up with new ideas? Is the patent system too expensive? What would be an alternative to the patent system?