Clarification/Follow-up by BruceLee on 01/31/04 5:12 am:
So how do I know if it's a "completely" new idea or not? What is the line there? Is there any way I can "search" for possible similar items that have already been patented so I know where I am?

Clarification/Follow-up by BruceLee on 01/31/04 11:13 am:
Thanks for the details... but then I wonder, what is the point of any designer designing a new line of clothing when copies will follow so soon? How do the originals make any money? Players like Levi's and Versaci and Calvin Klein and Nike are already rich enough to protect, but what about apparel startups with great ideas? What are we supposed to do to make sure we get our fair share of profits and recognition? So we have to mass produce quickly in the beginning and then advertise like crazy, spend millions of dollars to get so far ahead that even when someone copies, we will be well established? Or is there some other way?

Clarification/Follow-up by BruceLee on 01/31/04 7:11 pm:
Ok, thanks again for this, I am glad I asked you, I couldnt have found a better person it seems...

Here is my plan... my idea has to do with a new line of sportswear... my design (all in my head right now) does not seem to exist in any store or used by any athlete that I know. It is not like the glow shoes or dry-fit Nike stuff, my thing is not about material but about the design.

So my first step is to draw out some sketches. Then I was planning on buying some cheapo apparel that relates to my design, and have a friend or seamstress modify them to my specs, just the way I want them. After I have these "demos" I wanted to take them and go present to companies, like Nike, Adidas, Sports Authority, whatever... having been in the sports world all my life, I have a pretty firm belief that there will be a lot of interest in this line, and I want to make sure I make my share of profits from it before crap happens.

So now, if I do follow that plan above, who do you suggest I go to first to sell the design:

1 - Someone I know who can mass produce apparel and invest in a startup manufacturing this line and sell through retailers or his/her contacts

2 - Take my one design (there will be a few of course) to a huge firm like Nike and try to sell to them, although then what prevents them from saying get lost and then stealing the idea next year?

3 - Take my idea to a smaller athletic or sports specialty sgop and see if they are interested in producing some

4 - Any other ideas?

Thanks again....

Clarification/Follow-up by BruceLee on 02/02/04 6:34 pm:
So basically you are saying that there is no way I can "protect" my idea, so I either do it myself or I have the chance of losing it to a better funded company. Man, this is not good. So I guess my next step is try to find someone in the business I know, or get a bank loan and start my own by outsourcing and marketing. But if I do that, where do I sell? My product is not really for infomercial crap... actually it will probably be better suited for top professional athletes. Does that do anything for me? Say if I had contact with some top athletes in certain sports, how can I use that to my advantage?

Clarification/Follow-up by BruceLee on 02/05/04 6:40 am:
Is there any way to check a patent list online to see if there are any similar patent designs to the one I am planning on?