Your designs are your business, and protecting them when working with a manufacturer is a reasonable concern. Here is how IP and confidentiality work in practice, and how to safeguard your designs.
Who owns the design and the tech pack
Ownership should be clear from the start. Generally, when you commission a product to your design, the design is yours, but it is worth confirming this and documenting it. The tech pack you develop together is part of that. Clarify ownership before you begin rather than after.
NDAs and confidentiality
A non-disclosure agreement protects confidential information you share with a manufacturer. A trustworthy partner will have no problem signing one. NDAs set expectations and give you recourse, and asking for one is normal practice, not an insult.
Practical safeguards beyond paperwork
Beyond contracts, the best safeguard is working with a reputable, established manufacturer with a track record and a reputation to protect. An established partner has far more to lose from misusing your designs than they could ever gain. Reputation is its own protection.
Choosing a trustworthy long-term partner
The strongest protection is a long-term relationship with a partner you trust. Engelite has manufactured for Australian brands since 1956, with a reputation built on protecting client relationships and confidentiality. If trust matters to you, that track record is the point. Let's talk.