iBook/Powerbook cover questions

[ILLUMINALL at aol.com]

Hello  y'all!  (Can you tell I'm from Texas?  LOL)

I purchased a new 12.1 iBook this past August, and I could not find the kind 
of protective case/covering that I was envisioning and wanting for it... so I 
modified something that I purchased at an office supply store, and created 
exactly what I was wanting for my iBook. Not only was I impressed with how 
well it turned out, but everyone who has seen it has told me they thought it 
had great market potential! 

So I'm preparing to contact the company whose product I modified, in hopes 
that they will consider licensing and manufacturing this laptop case/cover -- 
not just for the iBooks, but also the TiBooks, and Apple’s newest line of 
Powerbook G4’s just announced. (Sorry that I can't be more descriptive of 
this product’s features and design, but you can be sure that if and when I 
get a company to begin production and marketing, I will be letting y'all know 
about it!)

Anyway, here is the reason I'm posting to the list: I'm wanting to do some 
research on the size of the iBook/TiBook/newPowerbook market(s) -- so that I 
have some credible figures to present to this company (who is likely not 
aware of how large the Apple iBook/Powerbook customer base is). So I'm hoping 
that some of you can point me to online resources and/or contact persons that 
would have the answers to the questions I’ve listed below -- or who could at 
least guide me in the right direction for gathering this information.

What is the size of the 12.1 and 14.1 ibook owner base (U.S. and global) -- h
ow many have been sold? What are the iBook niche or target market(s), i.e. 
education, etc.?  

For instance in the education market, last Fall the state of Maine began 
providing iBooks to every seventh-grader in the state (18,000 of them). Does 
anyone know if any other state or school system is doing this kind of thing? 

What is the size of the Titanium Powerbook owner base (U.S. and global). 
Numbers sold thus far? what are the TiBook niche or target markets?

Are there any projections of the sales expected for the new G4 Powerbooks, by 
screen size?  And is their marketing aimed at any particular niche?

Are there any legalities and/or trademarks preventing use of  the letter “i” 
before a product name that is especially/specifically designed and produces 
to be an Apple computer accessory?   

Is there anything that you think of that I may want to research and/or 
prepare prior to making this presentation to this company? I have read 
several books on invention and idea licensing and presentation, and do not fe
el that this particular design of mine is patentable. I may be seeking an 
idea/invention marketing agent to assist me with the presentations and 
proposals.

I've been an Apple computer user since the days of my ownership of an Apple 
Lisa in 1987. And since becoming a member of this list prior to purchasing my 
iBook, I've appreciated the breadth and depth of knowledge that this list 
membership offers. Thank you in advance for any time and effort you may bring 
to considering and answering my questions!
        

Ken Johnston
Heartworks, Inc
Dallas, TX USA
972-271-1313