In episode 277 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian and Renaud explore how to avoid leaking your intellectual property (IP) when sourcing components during the product development process. While working with suppliers, especially overseas, is often necessary, it can also pose significant IP risks. This discussion breaks down the real-world scenarios, risks, and mitigation strategies to help manufacturers protect their innovations without slowing down production.

01:31 – Why Sourcing Creates IP Risks

07:02 – Real-World Example: Blender Copied by ODM

16:02 – When Volume Triggers Curiosity

21:06 – Why Total Secrecy Isn’t Always Realistic

27:06 – Partial Disclosure & Engineering Workarounds

33:04 – Vetting, Trust, and Strategic Disclosure

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