Business in Eliminating the Middleman?

[Barney]

hello!
this is how I see it. the only way to protect yourself to have a patent, proper IP right. and those need to be reinforceable. so if your manufacture in China this can be pretty tough.
another way you could do this is by "fixing" the channel. you sign up exclusive supplier agreement that prihobits (at least for some time) your customer from purchasing your product from anyone esle.
good luck!