business method protection?

I'm in Ca, but I believe this would extend nationwide. I'm trying to figure out how best to protect a business idea. Example: Considering a business such as Starbucks Coffee, what form of protection keeps other similar businesses from calling out drinks the same way they do, etc? I've been told another coffee shop would not be allowed to run their business in exactly the same way, and I wonder what type of legal protection this is? Have you heard of this, and how would I obtain similar protection?

Cadpig

Not sure what you mean by that. Starbucks is similar to Coffee Bean, etc. The names are different and that is probably because they are trademarked/service marked.

You need to consult both a corporate attorney and an IP attonney about business method protection.

try http://www.attorneypages.com or your state bar association.
____________________________________________________________
I am a law school graduate. What I offer is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney client relationship.