Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi all,

This is my first time posting to this forum so please forgive me if I'm going about it the wrong way!

I have a few ideas on how to improve and market a Japanese beauty product to appeal to consumers in the U.S. but am not sure what the next steps I should take would be. The product is basically a type of bath towel and already has a U.S. patent.

Does anyone have experience working with or proposing business ideas to Japanese (or Asian) manufacturers? I'm not sure where to begin!

This may be a very, very dumb question but I was wondering if it was feasible to purchase their patented material (nylon/polyester blend) wholesale and then incorporate the design features here myself and sell. Do I need to partner with them or is that "stealing" their product? I basically want to use their patented towel material to create a line of bath products.

Since it already has a U.S. patent, would I need to file another one to protect the improved product? (I would just like to make a few, minor design changes and change the packaging).

Thanks in advance for any feedback or advice you can provide--it'll be greatly appreciated!

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You should ask someone that works in this domain and I am sure you will get answers to all your questions. If you want to be successful you have to come with something new and interesting like http://www.decorplanet.com/Black_and_White_Vanities_s/122.htm, buying their patent and making changes in the design is not one of the best ideas, first you should invest a lot of money in advertising to attract lots of clients.

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