Recommendations for formally submitting an idea to Canon

[ChrisPBacon]

Over the past few months, I've been polling members of the local astrophotography community and have a general consensus for an idea that many of us would like to see incorporated in a full-frame EOS camera, along the lines of less-is-more, but having some very useful options.  I'd like to formally propose the idea to Canon.

I've telephoned Canon to discuss the idea, getting a rather lukewarm or tepid response from those I've talked with; I've even approached managers at the San Francisco Canon learning center and have been given a polite audience, but get the idea they'd rather have teeth pulled than to forward my suggestion formally to Canon.  I've asked those I've spoken with about formally proposing this to Canon and have been told they'd research this and call me back, but months have gone by without any information being sent to me regarding making formal proposal to them.

While I have extensive professional experience dealing with the Japanese corporate culture — even speaking both kyōtsūgo and kansai — I know that such proposals made by gaijin are not generally well-regarded. 

Any ideas of what might get Canon's attention?

[ebiggs1]

"Canon ... I believe the company will lose much of its professional customers once Sony ... I don't think Canon will recover."

WOW, that's priceless. Gonna be pretty tough for Sony since they make no professional grade camera or lenses. I'll bet Canon  is quaking in their boots.

[ChrisPBacon]

The idea I have would give Canon cameras a capability unrivaled in other consumer cameras (to my knowledge).  I really don't give a **bleep** whether I get any credit: I want to see Canon thrive as astrophotography cameras go, and what I would like to propose may do just that for the corporation.

The idea goes back decades and has been a subject of several photography professionals surveys, including professional astronomers — many of whom use Canon cameras in their own personal pursuit of astronomy.  The idea was born working with professional astronomers, and doing astrophotography for nearly a decade myself.

I'd suggest contacting me via email: after I validate whom I'm talking with, I'd gladly share my ideas with Canon.

[John_SD]

"Nonetheless, if you do send Canon U.S.A. an Unsolicited Idea that is not already protected by a United States patent or is not public information, it immediately becomes the property of Canon U.S.A. By submitting an Unsolicited Idea to Canon U.S.A., you agree to convey your ownership interest in the Unsolicited Idea to Canon U.S.A., and that Canon U.S.A. will exclusively own all rights, title and interest therein."

LOL.  

[RobertTheFat]

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@John_SD wrote:

"Nonetheless, if you do send Canon U.S.A. an Unsolicited Idea that is not already protected by a United States patent or is not public information, it immediately becomes the property of Canon U.S.A. By submitting an Unsolicited Idea to Canon U.S.A., you agree to convey your ownership interest in the Unsolicited Idea to Canon U.S.A., and that Canon U.S.A. will exclusively own all rights, title and interest therein."

LOL. 

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I don't think "already protected by a United States patent" necessarily gets you off of that hook. Check with a lawyer first if you want to protect your interest. And remind the lawyer that while Canon U.S.A. may be a U.S. company, its parent company isn't.