Protecting Private Molds: Contract Terms for Furniture Leather Suppliers

Before sending a private mold, tooling, or design file to a furniture leather supplier, put the agreed protections in writing. The contract should identify ownership, define authorized use, require confidentiality and access controls, and explain how the materials will be returned or destroyed when production ends. The available company information does not state CIGNO’s intellectual-property terms, so confirm them directly before sharing designs or starting production.

Start with a Clear Mold Agreement

List each mold, pattern, design file, and related tool by name or reference, and specify who owns it and when ownership takes effect. Distinguish customer-owned items from any materials the supplier already owns. The agreement should also prohibit unauthorized copying, alteration, disclosure, or manufacturing.

Define the permitted use narrowly: identify the products, orders, and production purposes covered. State whether the supplier can use the mold for other customers, move it off-site, or give a subcontractor access. Include confidentiality obligations, approved personnel, storage standards, and a process for reporting security incidents.

Connect Mold Rights to Production Records

The product information describes customizable PVC and PU synthetic leather for sofas, chairs, and other upholstered furniture. Available options include color, grain, thickness, surface finish, and backing. For each order, keep the approved sample and agreed specifications on file so the authorized production scope is clear and separate from ownership of the mold or design.

Listed furniture-leather specifications include a thickness of 0.7–1.3 mm, a width of 54/55 inches, and knitted, woven, or non-woven backing. The stated minimum order is 1,000 meters per color. Lead time is listed as 15–30 days after the deposit is received and the sample is approved. Confirm that the order documents accurately record the specifications relevant to your mold.

Keep Product Credentials Separate from IP Protection

The company profile lists GRS, USDA, and Oeko-Tex 100 certifications for synthetic leather. The supplied information does not identify these credentials as protections for mold designs or other intellectual property. Likewise, a Mexico automotive-seat cooperation example describes customization of color, grain, thickness, and backing, but does not establish the terms that would apply to a customer’s private mold.

Contract Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the available information guarantee that the buyer owns a private mold?

No. The company information does not say who owns private molds or tooling. Agree on ownership in writing before production begins.

Do the listed certifications cover mold designs?

No such protection is described. GRS, USDA, and Oeko-Tex 100 are listed as credentials for synthetic leather, not as intellectual-property safeguards.

Which product details should be documented with the mold?

Record the approved color, grain, thickness, backing, finish, and any other agreed requirements. The listed minimum is 1,000 meters per color, with a stated 15–30-day lead time after deposit and sample approval.

Recommendation

Make written agreement on ownership, permitted use, confidentiality, access, subcontracting, and return or destruction a condition of sharing tooling or design files. Although the company profile describes OEM/ODM and customized production, it does not specify private-mold IP protections. Confirm the negotiated terms before authorizing production. For technical details or support, contact vicky@bozeleather.com.

About the Company

Dongguan Cigno Leather Co., Ltd. is a Dongguan-based manufacturer established in 2007. Its product range includes PVC, PU, microfiber, and recycled synthetic leather. The company profile describes OEM/ODM services and monthly production capacity of approximately 6 million meters. Listed credentials include GRS and Oeko-Tex 100, and its cooperation examples include customized synthetic leather for automotive interiors.