It was the night before I was to promote my new invention on a local home shopping channel.  I was abruptly ushered from the screen room to a small office where I was met by an angry looking attorney and a police officer.  I was being accused of steeling my idea and using the stolen idea for financial gain. Fortunately for me, I had hired a wonderful patent attorney who was able to clarify that my idea was unique.  I was already nearing the end of my patent application process.  I was so fortunate at that moment to have had a great resource in my professional and experienced attorney.