Insights — Supplier Control

How Do I Prove What I Shared With a Chinese Factory?

By Peter Lin, Founder, China IP Gateway · June 2026

In short

Keep a disclosure log: a simple record of what was shared, when, to whom, which legal entity received it, and for what purpose. Many founders have a signed NNN but cannot prove which files were sent, before or after signing, or whether the recipient belonged to the contracting entity. Without that evidence trail, even a strong NNN becomes hard to enforce in a dispute.

A Signed NNN Is Not the Same as Provable Protection

Founders say 'we already sent them the files' and 'they already saw the samples.' But if a dispute happens, the practical question is whether you can prove what was disclosed, when, to whom, and for what purpose.

A signed NNN establishes the rules. The disclosure log provides the evidence. Without both, the NNN may be unenforceable in practice — not because it was poorly drafted, but because there is nothing to enforce it against.

What a Disclosure Log Should Record

Which files were sent (name, version, format)

Whether sent before or after the NNN was signed

Which legal entity received them

Whether the recipient was an employee of the contracting party

Whether files were marked confidential

Whether receipt was confirmed by the other side

The stated limited purpose of the disclosure

Whether materials were later forwarded to engineers, subcontractors, or related companies

Why This Is Your Leverage in a Dispute

An NNN states the rules; the disclosure log proves the facts. Together they turn a 'he said, she said' situation into an enforceable record.

Without both layers, you may win the argument that the NNN was signed — but lose on the question of whether any breach actually occurred, because the facts cannot be established.

Peter Lin Insight

A disclosure log does not need to be complex. A simple, consistently maintained record is far more useful than no record at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a disclosure log?

A running record of every sensitive item shared with a supplier — what, when, to whom, which entity, and why.

Why does it matter if I already have an NNN?

Because in a dispute you must prove what was actually disclosed and to which entity. The NNN sets the rules; the log proves the facts.

Written by

Peter Lin

Founder & China Supplier Control Lead, China IP Gateway

Peter Lin works with global product founders on China-side supplier control, trademark, contract, and IP protection matters before they share too much or scale too fast in China.

Related in This Series

China Supplier Control — Full Series

Is an NNN Agreement Enough to Protect Me With a Chinese Supplier? Is an NDA Enough When Manufacturing in China? What Are the Real Risks of Working With a Chinese Supplier? Should I File My China Trademark Before Talking to Factories? How Do I Know Which Chinese Entity Should Actually Sign My Contract? What Stops a Chinese Supplier From Registering My Brand or Design? How Do I Prove What I Shared With a Chinese Factory? What Is the Right Order to Protect My IP When Manufacturing in China?

Want to structure your disclosure and NNN properly?

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