The Great American Idea Book: How to Make Money from Your Ideas for Movies, Music, Books, ...........

It is difficult to think of an area that businessman Coleman ( New Small Business Survival Guide ) and patent attorney Neville do not touch on in their account of how to develop a business idea, from brainstorm to profit statement. Their general outline covers five principal steps: securing the legal rights to your idea via copyright or patent; developing the idea to attract investors; marketing the idea; defending it legally and financially against the almost inevitable suits success will bring; and profiting from the fiscal arrangements you make. Each step is elaborated with myriad details on how to make an effective presentation, find an agent if your idea involves one of the arts, choose a ``magic'' name, get inexpensive promotion and even franchise your concept. An extraordinarily helpful book. (Feb.)