What does this have to do with mold ownership contracts? A lot of things. One of the best ways to prevent or slow down your Chinese manufacturer from competing with you is by legally preventing it from using your molds for anything other than making products for you. There are many ways to achieve this, but the best way is usually with a relatively simple mold ownership contract that clearly shows that the shapes belong to you and your manufacturer can`t use them for anything other than making a unique product for you yet. It can cling to them as soon as you look for their return. For more information on the benefits of protecting your shapes (and tools) against China, check out Manufacturing in China: Control your shapes Keep possession of your designs and shapes, even if your manufacturer makes improvements. Get refunds from your manufacturer where the shapes don`t meet expectations. There are a whole host of other things you can and should do to protect against your own Chinese manufacturer, but a mold deal is often a good and relatively cheap one. See protection of your Chinese product: The 101. A mold ownership agreement (also known as the Mold Development Agreement) is a contract that states that you are the owner of your shapes and that your manufacturer is simply in possession of these shapes to manufacture your product and only your product. For obvious reasons, Chinese manufacturing companies are incredibly concerned about the state of U.S.-China trade relations, and this concern is manifested by the way Western companies produce products. In particular, this concern leads Chinese producers to consider their foreign buyers as likely to leave China at some point, making them less interested in maintaining a good long-term relationship.

It also makes Chinese manufacturers more likely now than a year ago to try to steal as quickly as possible what they can from their Western buyers. Keep your drawings, ideas, 2D and 3D models confidential. Our documents are written in Chinese and English by certified lawyers. Dan is the founder of Harris Bricken, an international law firm with lawyers in Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, China and Spain. My firm`s international manufacturing lawyers are in the front row, because we are constantly receiving emails from Western companies whose products are copied by Chinese manufacturers just weeks after the first meeting with these manufacturers. Previously (about a year ago), it usually took years and a degraded relationship between the buyer and the Chinese producer before the Chinese producer found itself directly in competition; Chinese manufacturers waited until they believed they could earn more money by selling HIS product than they could make your product for you. Today, many Chinese companies conclude that they can make more money from day one by selling your product. Make sure you can always regain control of your molds when you decide to switch manufacturers. It was cited as one of only three Washington State Amazing Lawyers in international law, is rated av by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (its highest score), is rated by AVVO.com with 10.0 (also the highest score) and is a recognized SuperLawyer.

The agreement is written in both English and Chinese, subject to Chinese law and enforceable in Chinese courts. This Mold Ownership Agreement can be used by a person or company to protect their forms from abuse, copying or preservation by their Chinese manufacturer. Dan is licensed in Washington, Illinois and Alaska. The problem is that everyone who keeps your Molds have a high level of power over your business, because without your Molds, you should go back to step one of the manufacturing process.