I think the videos of the Stanford University Venture Program are very helpful. The answer is spread upon many videos.
http://edcorner.stanford.edu/materialSearch.html?materialType=9&top=20&title=Top+20+Videos
Moreover "protect" can mean to protect IP (intellectual property) or you protect your idea by beeing the first at market.
In the latter case, "protect" means, finde the right manufacturer, often with good connection to China.
If you do not want to pay for a patent, it is important to make you idea public right in time, because others my have the same idea or recognize your idea anyhow. I they get a patent, you will have to pay licence for your own idea :-(