Protectible features/ideas
 

Is there a way to protect features or ideas that I incorporate into vB from similar sites taking them, especially if they also run vB? Thx

I'm not sure if that's possible with any kind of board. Once you have made something available to the public - there are ways to copy it if not steal it. That's called "competition" :)

PS Unless you file for patent on idea, this way you'll be safe... to some extent.

the internet is simply a source of ideas, so if you create a tool for your site, someone visiting that site will find the idea and duplicate it if it worth the job... even if you apply a patent pending license on the job done, internet is without legals...