Protecting Intellectual Property in a Plastic Mold Project: Contract Terms to Check

When commissioning a custom plastic mold, clarify intellectual property rights in the written contract. The available company and product information describes manufacturing specifications, inspection, delivery, and after-sales services, but does not confirm who owns project IP or how it may be used. Review the agreement for the applicable terms before work begins.

What the Available Information Covers

Longterm lists custom injection molds for electronic housings, with single- and multi-cavity options, several mold materials and surface finishes. Its company profile says custom development can be based on customer drawings or samples. However, neither source explains the ownership or permitted use of those customer materials, the resulting designs, or the tooling.

The product information lists P20, 718H, and 1.2738 mold steels; ABS, PC, and PP plastics; a stated tolerance of ±0.02 mm; and an expected mold life of 50,000 to 800,000 shots. It also gives a delivery estimate of 20–35 days and a minimum order of one set. These are manufacturing and commercial details, not evidence of IP rights.

Contract Topics to Verify

The records do not set out specific IP protections. Before approving a project, check the written agreement for provisions that address ownership of customer drawings, CAD files, samples, mold designs, and tooling; confidentiality; permitted use; and any limits on making or using project-related parts. The applicable wording should be confirmed directly in the contract rather than inferred from service descriptions.

Longterm lists mold trials, dimensional inspections, and a final check before shipment. Its after-sales services include online technical guidance, mold maintenance, and spare parts support. These describe quality control and ongoing service, but do not establish ownership or confidentiality obligations.

The company reports ISO 9001:2015 certification for precision mold design, manufacturing, and sales, as well as plastic product sales. The supplied certification details do not specify IP protections. Its listed project examples include an electronic housing mold for an Italian customer and a double-shot overmolding mold for a French customer; the available descriptions discuss quality, samples, communication, and delivery, not contract terms.

Scope and IP Status at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns the mold design according to the supplied information?

The records do not identify the owner of mold designs or tooling. Confirm this in the project agreement.

Do customer drawings or samples establish confidentiality or ownership terms?

No. The company profile mentions developing from customer-provided drawings or samples, but does not state how those materials or resulting designs are owned or protected.

Which IP protections are confirmed by the available records?

None are specified. The information covers product parameters, inspection, delivery, and support; the applicable IP provisions must be verified in the written contract.

Conclusion

Longterm offers OEM custom injection molds, mold making with injection molding, precision mold services, and mold development alongside mass production. Its published information describes manufacturing capabilities and service processes, but does not establish contractual IP protections. Confirm ownership, confidentiality, and usage rights in the agreement before proceeding. For technical details or support, contact Roger Luo at rogerluo@longterm-mold.com.

About Longterm

Longterm Manufacturing Solutions Limited was founded in 2010 and provides mold design, tooling, precision machining, mold manufacturing, and parts production for international customers. The company reports a 50-person team and identifies North America, Europe, and Australia as its main markets. Its listed certification is ISO 9001:2015, and its cooperation examples span consumer electronics, home appliances, and industrial equipment.