Avery products?

[smoknsomewigz]

This is mainly for T. Matthews. I know you fellas probably get bombarded with ideas from people but was just wondering something. I sent an e-mail to Avery a few months ago about an idea. Now I know there's alot to go into new products and legal mumbo jumbo but what is Avery's policy if someone approaches you guys with an idea? I did'nt get a reply from my e-mail so I kinda get the idea. Thanks!

[Tom Matthews]

S-

I wish I could tell you what happened to your e-mailed question, but I can't since I have been in China for 5 months. I will try to find it and get to the bottom of why you were not answered.

I am the guy that gets all the product idea letters and e-mails to, and I do the best I can with them as I receive them. If you will re-submit the idea to me at Avery, I will be back there in a couple of weeks and will try to get back with you.

We get hundreds of suggestions a year via regular mail, FedEx, registerd mail, e-mail or actual stop-in visitors. You are correct that it is very difficult to handle these requests because the inventor justifiably wants to know how he can be compensated for his idea. I always suggest that they get as much legal protection as possible before ever breathing a word of the idea to anyone. Once the inventor has legal protection for the idea (patent, trademark, etc.), there is a possibility that a manufacturer will work with him on a comission basis or they might purchase the idea outright. Our policy has always been that, unless the inventor can show legal rights to the idea, we will not enter discussions about it. This is based on a very serious situation we found ourselves in 8 years ago.

Again, if you have a patent or other legal protection for your product idea, please contact me in two weeks in the US so we can discuss the possibilities. Man I hate what the US legal system has done to free thinking.

Thanks for the question I hope this has helped.

Tom

[smoknsomewigz]

Thanks for the reply Tom. That's all I needed to know! Again Thanks!

[smoknsomewigz]

Thought about something else. Now I know you said if I had a patent or some other legal means to protect myself to let you know and you would talk to me. I've looked into patents and other "legal means" and they aint cheap. Who knows this idea may be stupid I don't know. See the idea I have could possibly work with one of your products and I'm not really looking into "hitting it big" with this thing, I just want to know if it could be built and if it would work. Nothing else. I've had it drawed up for a few years now and even made models of the thing. Hey, if Avery could build it and it worked that would be fine with me. If nothing else let me tell you what it is and give me your thoughts on it. I think I can trust you, some of the people I know personaly, I don't know. If you would rather not I totally understand and no hard feelings. Keep up the good work! Thanks!

[Tom Matthews]

Sorry for the late reply, but I just returned from 5 months in China and missed this one.

If I had not been able to tell some good listeners about my ideas for the Quick-Set Waterfowl Blind 8 years ago, then Avery would not exist today. With this said, let's find a way for you to discuss your ideas with us. Please contact me on my personal e-mail address at tomm@averyoutdoors.com so we can discuss this. Thanks.

Tom