January 27, 2001


Mr. Mark
Chairman and C.E.O.
Colgate-Palmolive
300 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022


Dear Mr. Mark,

The purpose of this letter is to offer to share an idea with you regarding a potentially groundbreaking innovation in dental floss.

Without disclosing specific details of the idea in this letter, I will only say that it involves no physical changes to the basic product you have on the market today.

Question: Is Colgate-Palmolive the only company I have approached with this idea? If so, why?

Answer: Yes. I have chosen to allow Colgate the "first shot" at this idea simply because I feel your dental floss product is the best on the market today. Furthermore, with Johnson & Johnson and Oral B still the clear leaders in this sector, I believe you have much more to gain with a new innovation such as I wish to propose.

In closing, I must express my hope that in fact you, Mr. Mark, will have an opportunity to read this letter and are not want to disregard the potential of my idea based on mere skepticism or, worse, fear of legal entanglements. After all, I would argue that the competition is too great and the stakes too high not to explore every possible option which may result in gained market share.

If you would like a written explanation of my idea, I think it would be only appropriate for you to send a letter stating your wish to do so and your intent to compensate me fairly if the idea is ultimately employed. Please do understand that my chief motivation is not monetary reward but the desire, as a consumer, to see a product on the market embodying my idea.

I look forward to hearing from you. Of course, you may also phone me at [BLEEP] anytime. If I have not received any form of response in six weeks, I will regrettably begin querying your competitors in a similar manner. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,



Steve Dupont

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