If a product fails to apply for a patent, but its function is unique, is there any way to protect intellectual property rights?

Since you haven't applied for a patent, there is something wrong with your product. Maybe you haven't found a patent-free product so far. Do you think it is necessary to deliberately protect it?

For example, if you write a great novel, you only write a beginning (of course, your thinking is good, others haven't written it yet), and there is no specific ending! She is a good novel in your mind, but in others' eyes, it is better not to read it, because she hasn't finished writing it yet.

First, please continue to update your products, and then continue to apply for patents!