A copyright or an NDA often keeps some potential crooks to behave themselves and respect your confidentiality.

But, hey, you said it best; you're a little short for funds at the moment.

Sometimes you gotta try, and see what happens.

What you do have is your wariness, caution, and horse sense (given to all of us at birth, by the way).

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, or lost, but without the funds to develop, test, produce, market, sell, advertise, transport, and service your idea will remain forever buried in your cranium.

I'd say give it a shot, you're no dummy and I doubt you'll be beguiled by some wanna be slickster.