UW entrepreneurs hope they don't go bust over new bra design
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SEATTLE -- A couple of entrepreneurial University or Washington students are already facing the "Shark Tank" of reality and they haven't even graduated yet.
Whether you're saggy or perky, petite or Double D, there's a bra for nearly every need. Yet UW business majors Mariah Gentry and Kyle Bartlow had a bra brainstorm.
"Originally it was my idea," Bartlow said.
Yes the one who doesn't wear the bra, saw so many friends lose or break phones they'd tucked in undergarments, he drew a bra with pockets.
"When he first told me, I was kind of like 'What? Really?' " Gentry said. "Three seconds later I thought 'Oh my goodness, why hasn't anyone done this before?!'"
Well it turns out they have, sort of. Classmates Bartlow and Gentry filed a utility patent for the Joeybra. Like a baby kangaroo in mom's pouch, a woman's items are protected in pockets.
"Essentially a pocket on either side, two pockets large enough to put a phone or card," Gentry said.
But a British man is suing the seniors, claiming they've lifted his patented 1999 design.
"Iit's a pocket on the inside, ours is on the outside, a large difference," Bartlow said. And the pocket size in the British man's sketch is too small for a smartphone. "Probably a house key that's about it stick of gum if wanted to take that with you.," Bartlow said.
The Joeybra founders are backing their design and not backing down.
"If we decided to give in right now, our company assets are fairly low, to me it didn't make sense," Bartlow said. "Probably spending more in suing us than we have."
The UW seniors have already sold 1,200 of these bras at $19.99 a pop, and a lot of that money is going to prototypes and legal expenses. That can cost a lot and they don't want to go bust.
The enterprising duo is also working on a sports bra with pockets for iPods and an ID that will debut in few months.
Whether you're saggy or perky, petite or Double D, there's a bra for nearly every need. Yet UW business majors Mariah Gentry and Kyle Bartlow had a bra brainstorm.
"Originally it was my idea," Bartlow said.
Yes the one who doesn't wear the bra, saw so many friends lose or break phones they'd tucked in undergarments, he drew a bra with pockets.
"When he first told me, I was kind of like 'What? Really?' " Gentry said. "Three seconds later I thought 'Oh my goodness, why hasn't anyone done this before?!'"
Well it turns out they have, sort of. Classmates Bartlow and Gentry filed a utility patent for the Joeybra. Like a baby kangaroo in mom's pouch, a woman's items are protected in pockets.
"Essentially a pocket on either side, two pockets large enough to put a phone or card," Gentry said.
But a British man is suing the seniors, claiming they've lifted his patented 1999 design.
"Iit's a pocket on the inside, ours is on the outside, a large difference," Bartlow said. And the pocket size in the British man's sketch is too small for a smartphone. "Probably a house key that's about it stick of gum if wanted to take that with you.," Bartlow said.
The Joeybra founders are backing their design and not backing down.
"If we decided to give in right now, our company assets are fairly low, to me it didn't make sense," Bartlow said. "Probably spending more in suing us than we have."
The UW seniors have already sold 1,200 of these bras at $19.99 a pop, and a lot of that money is going to prototypes and legal expenses. That can cost a lot and they don't want to go bust.
The enterprising duo is also working on a sports bra with pockets for iPods and an ID that will debut in few months.
german word for bra...keepemfromfloppin :D don't hate me
It looks very uncomfortable.
If they worry about cancer concerns when you put a phone to your ear, why in the world would you store it next to your breasts......
@dentalgirl57 chances are you wouldn't be actively using it there :) If there's any risk at all, it's because the device is constantly transmitting at full power. The little blips that keep it connected to cell towers (and deliver texts) aren't any danger.
Would be an interesting form of karma considering they sneaked and patented the idea, leaving the third "partner" at the time out of the patent and therefore, SOL.
 @sabby0803 What third partner? Two students. No mention of three. The person in the UK is not associated with them and is the one suing.
Interesting concept pulling money and a cell phone out of my bra. So I'm in a store at the checkout with several people behind me and I stick my hand in my pocketbra to remove a credit card. I certainly hope I'm wearing the right shirt for this transaction (think turtleneck, deep scoop neck or any shirt where I to go in through the neck or under the shirt). After a certain size of woman and her bosom, sometimes there's only room for the woman in her bra and not her phone.Â
@Cinn This procuct is geared mainly for women out an about at social event's, dances,concerts... wher its impractical to tote a purse, fanny pack ( yes, I know .. so 80's), or cocktail party where one might be concerned about theft... its a secure way to keep you I.D. smart phone and or cash and key for your auto or home. Trust me, having a a 19 year old who is very social and engages in all things college, its a great solution ! I'm guessing you might be missing that aspect of the taget audience for the product.  This is a great idea and from students who are our future entrepunuers. Don't hate ;) the slightest modification on a patent is legal. Go UW students!
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It reminds me of the Laptop Burka
Flash: College students learn first rule of business...how to fail.
they ever take a class on Patien Lawyers and the need for one?
Please bring this to the mass market. Â As a retail worker, it's quite nasty to have to handle money that's been in someone's bra. Â Yes, I realize money is already dirty, but it's still nasty.
 @stamperzann That's true. It's bad enough when someone hands you gross dollars that are all sweaty from the gym, but if I see someone reach under their armpit into their bra I hope they pull out a debit card
Aww, that's nothing new. My wife has been carrying stuff in her over-the-shoulder boulder holder for years.Â
@Insomniac Dreams I can remember keeping small items like an id and debit card in my bra years ago- I loved that bra and have never been able to find one like it lolÂ
Where can I get one?
Gotta ask. What if your phone rings and have to answer it? How does a person access it? I guess I'll have to watch Shark Tank or read more about it.
 @heyjoe The idea is you only wear this bra when you are wearing a dress or shirt/skirt with no pockets available. Most shirts/dresses are skimpy near the top so it is easy to reach into the side of the bra when you are wearing something with no sleeves. Any woman who has gone to prom (out side of the 80s and those horrid bubble sleeves) knows this.
 @heyjoe seriously? you can't figure that out? reach into your shirt and pull it out. duhh
How about just inventing a bra that's comfortable, truly comfortable, ALL DAY?
 @fyrefawx Go get properly fitted somewhere other than victoria's secret. Once I got a proper bra I felt so much better. I used to wear a 36b but it turned out i'm actually a 34dd. The ladies at Nordstrom are great. I went during one of the half yearly sales and really got some great stuff.
 @quidproquo Well, I've never been to a Victoria's Secret - not my style, but I agree, getting fitted can make a big difference in how comfortable a bra feels. Have a great day!
 @fyrefawx  @quidproquo I think getting fitted is a good idea but I would suggest women look up how to tell if their bra fits properly. I've found some fitters at stores do not know what to look for and will pull a "used car salesman" on you, rather than actually be helpful or honest.
 @fyrefawx According to my friend all the comfortable bras are in the UK.
 @queenofthenight That's a long way to go for a comfortable bra...we need to ship some of those babies over here!
 @fyrefawx Aw... just don't wear one.... let it all hang out!
Except for the fact that most bras are really uncomfortable they do serve other purposes some more obvious than others.
 @Scoondog  @fyrefawx You know, I am top heavy and I certainly would not want to see other top heavy women out there with no support nor would I want people to have to look at me.  I won't go into how uncomfortable it gets towards the end of the day.
 @stamperzann  @Scoondog We may have a lot in common with you stamperzann!
 @Scoondog Honestly Scoondog, that's what I do!  But there are those times when I feel it's a bit tacky so I put one on...hate them!
Not interested. Holding out for the one coming out in 2014 that can detect breast cancer better than monthly self exams can. 90 percent accuracy is what their case studies have shown.
 @alildifferent Funny, but I was more thinking if having a smartphone in a man's pocket near his junk can decrease his sperm count, can the radiation from a smartphone so close to the breasts for extended period of time increase the risk of breast cancer? The risk is miniscule, I'm sure, but it's something to think about. LOL.
 @alildifferent Yes, that will be a great boon in the fight against breast cancer - hopefully they will every bra-maker pay a fee to include the technology in their products.
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@OrcasThunder can't wait!!!
Based soley on the info in this article, I'm going to have to side with the British guy.Â
Why? Their pocket is in a totally different location and it's a more useful size, I would also think he would have to prove that they knew about his bra before he could say they took his idea. To me it's like saying "I was the first guy to put pockets in a jacket, so no one else can do it". That just doesn't make sense.
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Patented material usually requires permission from the owner or buying the rights to use it. Otherwise there would be no need for patents.
 @justmyopinion actualy it doesn't matter if you know about a patent when you create something that fits that design. That being said, the pocket being on the other side, and a difference size should be enough to say that its not a copy.