How do I use someone else's trademark for a product line I want to make?

[William]

I own a small business and I have an idea for a product line that uses fictional characters from a well-known book to make it interesting and appealing to the market. Since they are a registered trademark that belongs to the author/publisher how exactly to I use them? I suppose I'd have to contact them and negotiate some terms, but how would I get in contact with them to begin with, and then what?

[gatzap]

You are on the right track. Contact the publisher, the author, or their publicists and be prepared for a denial of the right. You may well want them to sign an NDA to protect your idea. Also document the present status of your designs - perhaps by mailing drawings/descriptions to yourself by registered mail and leaving it sealed until needed if they try to rip off your ideas.