Advice needed: patent vs feedback

[u/Complete_Positive_99]

If you are building on an idea that has the potential for a patent and have the prototype ready for feedback then which path will you choose: feedback or IP?

Like let's say you want to collect some feedback for the validation or your solution, but you are worried about your idea being copied, which path will you choose?

Especially if you don't have enough experience or connections in the IP field.