How to protect preliminary design/engineering?

[brewhaha]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

Hi there, I have an idea for a product that I would eventually like to patent. I want to know how to protect it while I get another company to do some design work for me. I have done some preliminary sketches, but need to get a company to do CAD drawings and do the engineering aspect of it, especially electrical requirements and UL requirements. The other company will definitely be adding to the design and will help refine it.

Do I need to have them sign an NDA? Do I need a preliminary contract stating that any work that comes from this project is my own property and I will be the one to patent it?

Thank you in advance!

 

[brewhaha]

any ideas?

 

[FlyingRon]

An agreement to ownership and non-disclosure would certainly not be a bad idea. Novelty is lost if the concept is disclosed. If you are intending to patent it, it would behoove you to get started on at least a provisional. The engineering and UL aspects wouldn't seem to be part of the patent claims.