Patent/copyright research for a mobile application idea. Inbox

if anyone allow to share your opinion on the necessity of conducting patent/copyright research for a mobile application idea BEFORE design, prototype, testing, proposal etc.

I have an idea for a mobile application with some features & functions that can't be found in some mobile applications, but I concern whether they have been patented/copyrighted. If people had known something had been copyrighted/patented, of course people wouldn't wanted to develop it, not only it is a waste of time to develop things have been patented/copyrighted but also it might end up getting themselves in infringement lawsuit.

Would you recommend entrepreneurs should prioritize patent/copyright research for features & functions they wanted to build or entrepreneurs are not encouraged to spend on hiring a patent drafter specialist?