About a month ago, I invented a pattern. It was for something that I thought I really needed, and I was right, it's awesome, works well, and I use the item all the time. It is something that I could market very easily.

Two weeks ago after church, someone saw the item I had made, and admired it, and had a good look at it, so she could make some for her kids. Which I was happy about, after all, it is a good idea.

Today, I had a message on Facebook saying she had made some, and would now like to put pictures on Facebook and sell them to her friends. For $25. Which is a substantial profit. She was asking my permission.

Now I feel like a line has been crossed, and I really don't want to say yes. I have created patterns in the past, and while I am happy to share for personal use, I find I am less thrilled about someone making a profit from my idea.

I want to refuse, but I am not sure what to say, without sounding kind of petty. Maybe I am being petty. And then, even if I do say no, whats to stop her doing it anyway?

I'd love to have some thoughts outside my own head, and my family (who incidentally all think I should say no).

Personally I think your feelings are reasonable . I guess it's nice that she asked but I'd say no. Is it something you can copyright or trademark?

If you aren't planning to market it yourself why not offer her the rights to the pattern at a cost?

If you are planning on using it yourself I would say no and explain why.

Are you looking to start up a business selling them - if so them I would say no for sure. If you are not going to then I would say yes - as she has obviously recognised it as a good idea and if you are not going to profit from it - then let someone else!

Have you googled your product/design - is there anything like it?

Could you work together?

Dear XXX
I am thrilled that you have found the pattern I created so useful, thank you for the feedback and I hope your children enjoy it as much as mine have. With regards to you using the pattern to sell, unfortunately I am not comfortable with this as I am planning on marketing this idea myself and would appreciate it if you didn't do the same. I am fine with you using my pattern to make for your personal use though.
Thanks so much for checking with me, I really appreciate it.
Hope to see you soon
XXXX

As a previous poster suggested perhaps you could work together if you don't feel comfortable saying no.

I'm just really curious about this pattern now! Can you give us a hint? (I promise I won't steal the idea).

I would tell her you'd rather she didn't, as you were planning to do so. However, personally, I think she asked you as a courtesy and will probably sell the items regardless of what you say.

I'd be annoyed too, but I'd get out there and start selling them too.

And you can call yours 'the original and the best'.

Look into a patent if you are planning on selling them. A friend of mine did this, and it wasn't *too* expensive. Then just tell her that the idea is under patent, and you'd prefer her not to sell the product.

Good luck , sounds like a tricky situation!

aannaa that is an awesome letter, thanks so much .

It has been in my mind as a marketing possibility and I've bought some fabric ready to start, to see how they go. I never thought of charging $25 for them, that seems pretty expensive to me.

It's a bag for an aluminium drink bottle that you hook over your shoulder (mine is really pretty, butterflies), I've googled it, and there isn't anything quite like the one I've made. I know it probably doesn't sound like much, but it really is pretty good. My drink bottle is a 750ml one, and doesn't fit in my handbag, and is a bit of a nuisance to cart around. The bag fits the bottle almost exactly, you can get to the spout bit without undressing it, and hooking it over your shoulder, it somehow doesn't seem as heavy. I take it everywhere now.

I don't know this woman particularly well (met her about 10 weeks ago probably). I appreciate that she asked, and I wonder if she will just do it anyway, I don't think I know her well enough yet to say.

Thanks for your thoughts , it's helpful to get some other perspectives.

Keep her request - you might need it as proof that it was originally your idea if it all goes bad.

I'd definitely buy one of them. We use 750ml stainless steel water bottles and they are a pain to lug around. I agree that $25 is steep.

I'll let you know when I go into production Mrs Widget .