Custom Silicone Mold Ownership: CAD, Master, Tooling and Reorder Rights

“Who owns the mold?” can mean several different things.

A custom project may include:

• source artwork
• CAD/model
• physical master
• silicone production mold
• metal production tooling
• support shell
• inserts
• archived files
• reorder rights
• exclusivity

These rights should not be assumed from one tooling payment or one generic website statement.

Clarify:

• who created CAD?
• what file is delivered?
• STEP/STP?
• native editable file?
• derivative files?
• release conditions?

A physical master can be:

• customer-supplied
• created by supplier
• CNC-machined
• additively manufactured
• retained for repeat production

Define custody and return/disposal terms if important.

If the customer buys finished silicone molds as the delivered product, ownership of those shipped molds is straightforward.

But the supplier may also retain:

• master
• tooling aid
• jigs
• digital files

Those are separate.

For HCR/HTV or LSR tooling, define:

• tool ownership
• custody
• maintenance
• storage
• transfer/release
• repair
• disposal

Custom does not automatically mean exclusive.

If the geometry/design must not be resold or reused, define exclusivity in writing.

Reorder rights can include:

• ability to place repeat orders
• use of archived revision
• use of retained tool/master

This is not automatically the same as taking possession of the tool.

If I pay USD 50 for 3D modeling, do I own all CAD files?

Not automatically. Define the deliverable and rights before work starts.

If I pay for a steel tool, can I move it to another factory?

Only if the agreement gives you that right and the tool is practically transferable.

Can I ask RUUIPON to keep the master for future orders?

Yes, if archive/custody terms are agreed.

If important, define:

• CAD deliverable
• native-file release
• master custody
• tool ownership
• exclusivity
• transfer
• archive period
• reorder rights
• disposal after inactivity

Is an NDA enough to define ownership?

No.

Does “tooling fee” prove ownership?

Not by itself.