I'm looking for some advice on how to protect a 'service' idea within Australia. My sisters and I designed a concept we would like to pursue, however since then have found similar 'seemingly successful' businesses in both the US and Europe. How do we determine if we have a right to establish our idea in Australia? And how do we go about protecting the idea?
Secondly, if we can protect the idea in Australia, what possibilities might exist re: contacting US company to either a) learn from them, or b) buy access to the 'software' to implement in Australia?