SECTION 1 — OUR COMMITMENT

In the international garment manufacturing industry, protecting a client's intellectual property is not merely a legal obligation — it is a fundamental business ethic. Brands invest significantly in their designs, patterns, and brand identity. Sharing, replicating, or misusing that investment is a breach of the trust that makes long-term manufacturing partnerships possible.

SDF Clothing Ltd is built on that trust. Every member of our team — from our design liaison team to our production floor — operates under strict confidentiality obligations. Client information does not leave our controlled environment without explicit written authorisation from the client.

SECTION 2 — WHAT WE DEFINE AS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

The following categories of information are treated as strictly confidential by SDF Clothing Ltd:

2.1 Design & Technical Documents

Tech packs and technical specifications
CAD files, pattern files, grading charts
Construction details and seam specifications
Fit notes and measurement charts
Trim and accessories specifications

2.2 Brand Assets

Label designs, hang tag artwork, and packaging graphics
Brand logos and trademark materials
Embroidery files and print artwork
Woven label specifications and care label content
Branded packaging materials and instructions

2.3 Sample & Prototype Information

Pre-production samples and prototypes
Fabric swatches and colour standards
Lab dip records and colour approval documentation
Pilot production records

2.4 Business Information

Order quantities, pricing, and commercial terms
Delivery schedules and production timelines
Client identity and brand affiliation
Communication records and correspondence
Supply chain and sourcing information specific to the client

SECTION 3 — HOW WE PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION

3.1 Access Controls

Client confidential information is accessible only to the specific production team members assigned to that client's order. Access is granted on a strict need-to-know basis. Senior management reviews access permissions regularly.

3.2 Internal Confidentiality Obligations

All SDF Clothing Ltd employees, contractors, and production partners involved in client orders are bound by confidentiality obligations as a condition of their engagement with us. These obligations survive the termination of their employment or contract.

3.3 Digital Security

All digital files received from clients — including tech packs, artwork, and brand assets — are stored in access-controlled environments. Files are not stored on personal devices or transferred via unsecured channels. Upon completion of an order, client files are archived in a secure environment and are not accessible to general staff.

3.4 Physical Security

Physical samples, patterns, and print materials are stored in a secure production environment with restricted access. Rejected or surplus samples are destroyed and not retained, sold, or passed to any third party.

3.5 Third-Party Production Partners

Where SDF Clothing Ltd engages sub-contractors or specialist production partners for specific processes (such as embroidery, printing, or washing), those partners are required to maintain the same confidentiality standards and are bound by written confidentiality agreements before receiving any client materials or information.

SECTION 4 — INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

4.1 Client Owns Their IP — Always

Any intellectual property submitted to SDF Clothing Ltd by a client — including designs, tech packs, artwork, patterns, and brand assets — remains the sole and exclusive property of that client. SDF Clothing Ltd acquires no ownership, licence, or rights over client intellectual property beyond what is strictly necessary to fulfil the production order.

4.2 We Do Not Copy or Adapt Client Designs

SDF Clothing Ltd does not copy, adapt, replicate, or derive new designs from client-submitted intellectual property for any purpose — including our own production, other clients, or internal use. Client designs are used solely for the production of that client's confirmed order.

4.3 No Portfolio Use Without Permission

SDF Clothing Ltd does not use client designs, products, or branding in our own marketing, portfolio, website, or promotional materials without explicit written consent from the client. Where a client permits us to reference the relationship, we will do so only in terms agreed in writing.

4.4 SDF Clothing Ltd's Own IP

Any production methods, operational processes, factory systems, and proprietary techniques developed internally by SDF Clothing Ltd remain our intellectual property. Clients do not acquire rights over our internal processes as a result of our working relationship.

SECTION 5 — TECH PACK & DESIGN CONFIDENTIALITY PROCESS

When a client submits a tech pack or design to SDF Clothing Ltd, the following process is followed:

Step 1 — Receipt & Logging

All submitted documents are logged with a reference number, date of receipt, and client identifier. Access to the document is immediately restricted to the assigned production team.

Step 2 — Internal Distribution

Documents are distributed internally only to team members who require them to perform their specific role in the production process.

Step 3 — Production & Sampling

Files are used exclusively for the production of the client's order. No copies are made beyond what is operationally necessary.

Step 4 — Order Completion

Upon order completion and shipment, client-specific production files are archived in a secure, restricted environment. They are not reused, shared, or repurposed under any circumstances.

Step 5 — Retention Period

Client design files and technical documents are retained for a maximum of 3 years from order completion for potential reorder purposes, unless the client requests earlier deletion via our Contact Form. After 3 years, all files are securely deleted.

SECTION 6 — SAMPLE CONFIDENTIALITY

6.1 Pre-Production Samples

All samples produced for a client are manufactured exclusively for that client's use. Sample specifications, patterns, and construction details are not shared with any other party.

6.2 Rejected Samples

Samples that are rejected, revised, or superseded are not retained in our general inventory. They are either returned to the client at the client's request and expense, or destroyed securely. They are never sold, gifted, or provided to any third party.

6.3 Approved Pre-Production Samples

Approved PP samples are retained by SDF Clothing Ltd as quality benchmarks for the duration of the production run only. Upon shipment completion, retained PP samples are archived or destroyed as agreed with the client.

SECTION 7 — PAYMENT & BANKING CONFIDENTIALITY

Client payment details — including banking information, LC details, TT references, and WorldRemit transaction data — are treated as strictly confidential financial information. They are:

Used only for the purpose of processing the specific transaction
Accessible only to authorised finance personnel
Never stored in unsecured systems
Never shared with any third party other than the relevant banking institution for processing purposes

SDF Clothing Ltd does not store full banking credentials, IBAN numbers, or account details beyond what is required for transaction processing. All payment processing is conducted through regulated banking channels or WorldRemit's regulated platform.

SECTION 8 — CLIENT IDENTITY & ORDER CONFIDENTIALITY

SDF Clothing Ltd does not disclose the identity of our clients, the nature of their orders, or any commercial terms to any third party — including other clients, industry contacts, or media — without explicit written consent. We understand that in competitive markets, buyer-supplier relationships are commercially sensitive.

This means:

We do not list our clients publicly without permission
We do not discuss one client's orders with another client
We do not confirm or deny that a specific brand sources from us
We do not share order quantities, pricing, or timelines externally

SECTION 9 — THIRD-PARTY IP COMPLIANCE

SDF Clothing Ltd will not knowingly manufacture products that infringe third-party intellectual property rights. Clients warrant that all designs, branding, trademarks, and materials submitted to us are either owned by the client or properly licensed for production.

If SDF Clothing Ltd becomes aware — or has reasonable grounds to suspect — that a submitted design or brand asset infringes the intellectual property of a third party, we reserve the right to suspend production and require written confirmation of IP ownership or licence before proceeding.

The client assumes full legal responsibility for any third-party IP infringement claims arising from client-supplied designs, branding, or materials.

SECTION 10 — NDA REQUESTS

SDF Clothing Ltd understands that some clients prefer to formalise their confidentiality requirements through a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before sharing design materials or entering into detailed discussions.

We are open to reviewing client-supplied NDA documents as part of the onboarding process for confirmed orders. NDA requests should be submitted via our Contact Form. Please note:

We review each NDA individually and may propose amendments
NDA review applies to confirmed order relationships, not preliminary enquiries
Our standard Terms & Conditions and this Confidentiality Policy already provide contractual confidentiality protections from the commencement of our business relationship

SECTION 11 — BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY

SDF Clothing Ltd takes any breach of confidentiality extremely seriously. In the event that a breach of this policy is identified:

The affected client will be notified immediately
An internal investigation will be conducted
Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against responsible individuals
The client will be provided with a full written account of the breach and remedial actions taken

Clients who believe their confidential information has been mishandled are encouraged to contact us immediately via our Contact Form.

SECTION 12 — GOVERNING LAW

This Confidentiality & IP Policy forms part of the contractual relationship between SDF Clothing Ltd and its clients, governed by the laws of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, consistent with our Terms & Conditions available at /terms.

SECTION 13 — CONTACT

For any questions about our confidentiality practices, to request secure document submission procedures, or to raise a concern about your intellectual property, please use our Contact Form at /contact.

We respond to all confidentiality enquiries within 2 business days.

Confidentiality & Intellectual Property Policy