[liseman]

Don't copy people's products. Other than that, companies spend too much time too early worrying about (and spending money on) IP. Prove demand for your product by launching; you've got a year post-disclosure to file a provisional patent.

[beambot]

I think you're wrong. You have a year after disclosure to file a FULL UTILITY PATENT. Provisionals give you a 1-year priority date.