My ten year old son has come up with a great Idea for the underwear
industry that will make whoever uses it a lot of money and maybe they
can patent it too. My question is: How do I get in touch with the
person in charge in the say top 5 underwear industry companys, like
Hanes, BVD, Jockey, who can pay for such an idea if they deem it
worthwhile? It is! It is an inovation that will sweep the nation and
the world. I am in no position to try to patent and manufacture this
myself, I just want to sell the idea without getting ripped off.

Hello Theo44,

Below you will find full contact information and key people for the
major players in the underwear industry. I am also providing links to
a number of informative articles that discuss how to sell your idea
and market your invention.


====================
Jockey International 
====================

Jockey International, Inc. 
2300 60th St.
Kenosha, WI 53141 (Map)
Phone: 262-658-8111
Fax: 262-658-1812
Toll Free: 866-256-2539
http://www.jockey.com 

Key People:
Chairman and CEO:  Debra S. Waller 
President and COO:  Edward C. (Ed) Emma 
SVP, CFO, CIO:  Frank Schneider 
http://www.hoovers.com/jockey-international/--ID__42554--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml


==============
Sara Lee/Hanes 
==============

Sara Lee Branded Apparel 
1000 East Hanes Mill Rd.
Winston-Salem, NC 27105 (Map)
Phone: 336-519-4400
Fax: 312-726-3712

Key People:
CEO: Lee A. Chaden  
http://www.hoovers.com/sara-lee-branded/--ID__104228--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml


=======
Warnaco 
=======

The Warnaco Group, Inc.
90 Park Ave.
New York, NY 10016 (Map)
Phone: 212-661-1300
Fax: 212-687-0480
http://www.warnaco.com


Key People:
Chairman: Charles R. Perrin  
President, CEO, and Director: Joe Gromek  
SVP and CFO: Lawrence R. Rutkowski  
http://www.hoovers.com/warnaco-group/--ID__12180--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml


=========
Joe Boxer 
=========

JOE BOXER is a subsidiary of Windsong Allegiance Group, LLC.   

Windsong Allegiance Group, LLC.   

WINDSONG ALLEGIANCE APPAREL GROUP, LLC
1599 POST ROAD EAST
WESTPORT, CT 06880
T 203.319.3600
F 203.319.3610
INFO@WINDSONGALLEGIANCE.COM 
http://www.windsongallegiance.com/
  
For Joe Boxer:

United States:
Marie Huftel
Tel: 201.964.9292 ext 18 
E-mail: joeboxer@windsonginc.com

Canada:
Susan MacDonald
Tel: 416.636.5900 ext 308
E-mail: susan@caulfeild.com  
http://www.joeboxer.com/


============
Calvin Klein 
============

Calvin Klein, Inc. 
205 W. 39th St.
New York, NY 10018 
Phone: 212-719-2600
Fax: 212-221-4541

Key People:
President: Tom Murry  
CFO:  John Van Glahn 
Director, PR:  Jennifer Pinto 
http://www.hoovers.com/calvin-klein/--ID__44248--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml


=================
Fruit of the Loom 
=================

Fruit of the Loom 
1 Fruit of the Loom Dr.
Bowling Green, KY 42103 (Map)
Phone: 270-781-6400
Fax: 270-781-6588
http://www.fruit.com 

Key People:
President and CEO: John B. Holland  
EVP and CFO: G. William Newton  
VP Global Licensing:  Tom Witthuhn 
http://www.hoovers.com/fruit-of-the-loom/--ID__11960--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml

BVD is a licensed by Fruit of the Loom
http://www.fruit.com/static/brands/licensed.cfm




About.com provides a wealth of information to new inventors.


==================================
Marketing and Licensing Inventions
==================================


How Do I Make Money From My Invention?

?There are three basic ways you can make money from your invention,
you can sell your patent outright, you can license your invention, or
you can produce and market it yourself.?

Read about each of these alternatives here:
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aalesson8a.htm


How Do I License My Patented Invention? 
?Introduction to licensing; you must hold a patent or have applied for
a patent (patent pending) before attempting to license your
invention.?
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aalesson9a.htm



How to License Your Invention

?The independent inventor should consider licensing their "patent
rights" to an existing manufacturer and collect royalty fees.?

Step-by step instructions here:
http://inventors.about.com/cs/licensingmarketing/ht/Licensing.htm


To Patent or Not
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aalesson5a.htm

?Learn to locate manufacturers, prepare marketing material, submit
marketing material to manufacturers for potential licensing.
Intellectual property business tips and strategy for the independent
and small business innovator. Use technology transfers to your
advantage. ?

Informative articles and resources at the following link:
http://inventors.about.com/od/licensingmarketing/


=========================
Non Disclosure Agreements
=========================

?A Non-Disclosure Agreement (also known as a Confidentiality
Agreement) is used when someone with an unpatented idea shows it to
another party, and wants that party to maintain as confidential any
information.?

At the following link you will find information, as well as non
disclosure forms and samples.
http://inventors.about.com/od/nondisclosure/


Inventing 101 - How to Make Money from Inventing 

This free email course provides the basic foundation for the
independent inventor to possibly turn their ideas into money making
inventions.
Sign up here:
http://inventors.about.com/c/ec/1.htm
      

Inventors Newsletter:  Sign up here for free
http://inventors.about.com/gi/pages/mmail.htm



============
Useful Books 
============

From the book ?License Your Invention: Sell Your Idea & Protect Your
Rights with a Solid Legal Contract?   by Richard Stim:

Should You Manufacture and Market Your Invention Instead of Licensing It? 

?Before considering licensing, it's important for an inventor to
consider the two other basic options to licensing -- assigning your
rights or manufacturing and selling the invention by yourself.
Although a license allows you to retain ownership of the invention,
some inventors prefer to assign all rights in return for a large
one-time payment. As for manufacturing and selling the invention
yourself (referred to as a venture), most inventors do not have the
funds or experience to create ventures or to market their own
products. Manufacturing and marketing requires money, knowledge about
the industry, connections with distributors, and a lot of hard, hard
work. In addition, many inventors cannot afford the significant
expense of pursuing infringers. For this reason, most inventors choose
licensing instead of ventures.?

Download the ebook for $24.99 or you may read relevant excerpts of
this book at the following link:
http://www.nolo.com/lawstore/products/product.cfm/ObjectID/1C2C9C8B-F36C-418E-9CFD726C90EDCC63/sampleChapter/4

You may also purchase a used copy of this book at Amazon from $4.91

Description:

?License Your Invention provides both the practical marketing advice
and the legal licensing language you need to turn your invention into
a moneymaker.

?Step by step, this book explains the key elements in a licensing
agreement, from advances and royalties to the length of an agreement.
It also explains complex concepts such as warranties, indemnity and
reservation of rights all in plain English. Learn how to:
- understand the licensing process 
- determine your ownership rights 
- work with agents effectively 
- find potential licensors 
- show your invention while protecting your work 
- draft your own comprehensive licensing agreement.?

Amazon 
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/087337407X/104-8828267-4371969?v=glance


The Complete Idiot's Guide(R) to Cashing in On Your Inventions
by Richard C. Levy
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0028642201/ref=pd_sim_books_3/104-8828267-4371969?v=glance&s=books


How to License Your Million Dollar Idea: Everything You Need To Know
To Turn a Simple Idea into a Million Dollar Payday, 2nd Edition
by Harvey Reese, Harvey Reese
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0471204013/ref=pd_sim_books_2/104-8828267-4371969?v=glance&s=books



Search terms used in different combinations:
marketing, invention, inventors, idea,  companies,  patent, licensing,

I hope you find this information helpful! 

Best regards,
Bobbie7

---

Request for Answer Clarification by theo44-ga on 20 Jun 2004 15:17 PDT

OK, so far so good, I looked at one link and it said something about
membership. I do not want to join anything, or buy any thing. what do
I say to get to talk to these CEO's. did you get in touch with anyone?
How do I get in touch with them? I do not want FAQs, or to subscribe
to these companies. Can I email them directly? were you able to get in
touch with anyone?

---

Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 20 Jun 2004 16:08 PDT

Here is the additional contact information that I was able to locate for you.

Jockey International, Inc
Ms. Debra S. Waller Chairman & CEO Jockey International, Inc. 
PO Box 1417 Kenosha, WI 53141-1417 
Phone: (262) 653-3733 
Fax: (262) 653-3020 
Email: debra.waller@jockey.com
http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/data/mk5152002%20Roster.pdf.


---------------------------------------------------


Fruit of the Loom
Thomas H. Witthuhn
Phone: (270) 781-6400 ext. 2074
Fax: (270) 781-4807
Email: twitthuhn@fruit.com
http://www.simonsays.com/extras/pdfs/licenseelists/licenseelist_BobtheBuilder.pdf


---------------------------------------------------


SaraLee Corporate Officers
http://www.saralee.com/ourcompany/corpOfficers.aspx

Address of principal executive offices
Three First National Plaza, Suite 4600, 
Chicago, Illinois 60602-4260 
(312) 726-2600 
http://investors.saralee.com/EdgarDetail.cfm?CIK=23666&FID=1193125-04-16091&SID=04-00

Sara Lee Branded Apparel
1000 E. Hanes Mill Road
Winston Salem, North Carolina, 27041
United States of America
Phone: +1 336 519 4400
http://www.saralee.com/ourcompany/lobApparelHome.aspx


---------------------------------------------------


Warnaco Names Helen McCluskey Group President, Intimate Apparel
Joe Gromek, Warnaco's President and Chief Executive Officer The
Warnaco Group, Inc.
CONTACT: Deborah Abraham, Director, Investor Relations of The Warnaco
Group, Inc., +1-212-287-8289; or Media - Doug Morris of Gavin Anderson & Co.,
+1-212-515-1964, for The Warnaco Group, Inc
http://news.corporate.findlaw.com/prnewswire/20040617/17jun2004082625.html
 

---------------------------------------------------

Calvin Klein
CALVIN KLEIN (W/M)
Jennifer Pinto 
 (212) 292 9671 
(212) 292 9131
http://www.modemonline.com/usa/press_agencies_w_5.html


---------------------------------------------------

Guidelines :

?Send a brief individually tailored and professional looking marketing
letter to each company on your list. The letter will state that, you
are willing to consider selling or licensing the patent rights to your
invention.

With your marketing letter, it is superior to include a professional
looking brochure and a website address connected to your product.

Wait one month, if a company has not replied you can then telephone
them to see if they are interested in your product.

Before discussing your invention in greater detail with a company,
sign a non-disclosure agreement. You should consider having a lawyer
draw one up for you.

If you have the opportunity to negotiate for a licensing agreement,
use an experienced lawyer. It is not advisable for you to negotiate
the contract on your own.?
http://inventors.about.com/cs/licensingmarketing/ht/Licensing.htm
 


Non-Disclosure Agreement 

When you have an unpatented invention, you need to talk about. You can
use a non-disclosure agreement to protect your ideas.

?A non-disclosure agreement or confidentiality agreement is used when
you have an unpatented idea that you need to show to a third party and
you want that party to not reveal any information about your idea.

The inventor is the one who usually provides the non-disclosure
agreement (NDA) at the meeting.

In summary, the other party signs that he/she will not disclose any of
the information about your invention, except under terms as described
in the contract, and will not market the idea or compete with you.
Having a meeting or discussion about your invention, without an NDA,
would constitute a public disclosure. You then would only have one
year to file for a patent or forever lose that right.

Do not use an NDA lightly. Only approach third parties when you have
to (i.e. you need a prototype built and you can't do it yourself).

Even with an NDA, still only talk about your invention them with
people whose integrity you can trust. Even with a person you trust,
always sign an NDA before discussing your invention.

NDAs are the cheapest form of protection for an invention you can use,
but they are not a substitute for a patent application. Do not rely on
them to protect you.?
http://inventors.about.com/library/howto/htnondisclosure.htm

I did not get in touch with anyone. Due to the confidentiality of this
matter I would suggest that you get in touch with them directly.


I hope you find this additional information is useful!

Best regards,
Bobbie7

I think you nailed it, I spent some time looking www myself befor
posting question, I think this is just what we (my son and I) need,
thank you, Bobbie7

Thank you for the five star rating and tip!
--Bobbie7

Hi

You are setting yourself up for failure.  Without a patent (design,
provisional or non-provisional) on  our idea, you own nothing and
therefore have nothing to sell.  Depending on whether your idea is a
functional item or decorative item, it only costs from $80 to $170
dollars to file a patent application. Even if you were to add the cost
of hiring a patent agent/attorney to write the application, it would
not cost more than $5,000 for the whole process.  If your idea cannot
generate at least $250 a year for 20 years, then your idea is not that
good.

I doubt if a company will even talk to you without a patent in hand. 
However, if you decide to talk to them without a patent, then you can
count on thinking you have been ripped off by them in the long run. 
Since you do not own anything, and therefore have no protection from
obvious changes to your idea, the company can make a few changes and
sell it without you.

Go the the US Patent web site:

www.USPTO.gov

and search the patents for key words on your idea.  You will be
surprised by how many ideas are already out there.

The only answer is this:

If the idea is so great, then invest the money in getting a patent.

(to "social-ga")

You have misstated a very important fact -- a patent does not cost
"from $80 to $170". I am not sure where you got this information, but
the actual cost of a patent application is much higher.

I am in the final stages of a patent application myself, and have
incurred the following costs in doing so:

-- my patent attorney charges $150/hour
-- his initial consultation took about 2 hours
-- his patent search (which most patent attorneys will require before
forming a patent application) was a capped 3 hours
-- the application itself took approximately 25 to 30 hours
-- since I filed the patent application as an individual, the filing
fee with the US Patent and Trademark Office was $375.00
-- a request for a clarification of a drawing submitted took the
patent attorney ~3 hours
-- if the patent office asks for any further clarification, the
response by my attorney could take from 2 to 10 or more hours, each
response
-- when the patent is ready to issue, I will have to pay a $665 fee
before the USPTO will actually issue it
-- to preserve my right to file international patents for an
additional 18 months is 2 hours of my lawyers time and a fee of
$1750.00
-- every few years after the patent issues, there are more fees,
starting at a few hundred dollars and going up to $1500.00, just to
keep the patent valid

It's true that you don't need a patent attorney to pursue a patent,
but if you truly have a worthwhile invention, if you really believe
that it could make a company "lots of money", then I strongly
recommend that you talk with a patent attorney first. One I recommend
considering is: http://www.lojs.com

Also, you only have one year from the date of the invention to file a
patent application or a provisional patent application.

One less costly idea than an actual patent application is what's
called a "provisional patent", which technically isn't a patent
application at all. A provisional patent is more like a formal
declaration to the USPTO that you intend to file a patent application
in the future, contains only a brief description of the invention, and
once filed, gives you the "patent pending" status. Once you have
"patent pending" status, you can talk with any manufacturer or
investor without the fear of having your idea stolen* (see below). If
you then find that the manufacturers and investors don't share your
entheusiasm for the invention, you don't have to proceed with the
expence of an actual patent application. If, however, you find that
they're beating down your door for the licensing of your invention,
you then know that pursuing the actual patent application will be well
worth investing in.

One last note -- when you have "patent pending" status, you are
protected from having the idea stolen from you, but only if and when
the patent actually issues. To cover for this, most patent attorneys
would recommend and draft a "Non Dosclosure Agreement", or NDA, that a
manufacturer or investor would need to agree to before you disclose
your invention to them. If you don't use a NDA but your invention has
"patent pending" status, you do not have any recourse against a
business that 'steals' or uses your idea UNTIL the actual patent
issues. From that day forward, and for the next 20 years, anyone who
uses your idea may only do so with your permission and usually pays
royalties to do so.

I hope this info helps!

oops, typo:

expence = expense

sorry 'bout that!

Dear Pancaketj

Your comments were accurate and, in fact, agree with my estimate.  You
will notice that I said to "file" an application, not get a patent. 
The filing fee for a provisional patent application is $80 and the
filing fee for a design patent (the questioner did not state whether
the invention was functional or decorative) is $170.  I gave an
estimate of $5,000 to write the application.  Your estimate was $3750
to $4500.

However, that's just nitpicking.  

What I was telling the questioner was that he needed protection for
his "invention".  My best guess is that he will find out that his
invention is not "new" but rather just new to him.  However, in the
off chance that his invention is actually novel, then he will have
some protection.

Even with the costs you gave, which were very reasonable, the cost of
a patent for a "great idea" is not large.

I think that there are honest, ethical people that I can talk to and
come to an agreement with that; I have a worthwhile product that is
new and that they can easily market. If they decide to use it, then
they pay for it. If not they will not talk about it. I can find some
kind of non-disclosure form to use and have them sign first. Trouble
is I do not know what to ask for, I will have to let them decide that
too.