Last updated: February 14, 2026

In this episode, Adrian and Renaud explore how to avoid leaking your intellectual property (IP) when sourcing components during product development. 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.

 

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Episode sections

  • 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
  • 39:17 – Wrapping Up

 

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Adrian Leighton

About Adrian Leighton

Adrian is the Sofeast group's experienced marketer and has worked in manufacturing for around a decade. He has a particular interest in new product development and sharing important manufacturing news from China. If you've read, watched, or listened to some Sofeast content, Adrian has probably had a hand in it!
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