incognito wrote:
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...Consider the value of lying to the manufacturer about the real purpose of the product and selling it under a different corporation. That would keep them from knowing what to do with it.

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cog...,

Real funny, as you well know from our previous email discussions that is EXACTLY what I do with my two corporations. I wouldn't have mentioned that but since you did, I'll comment.

Disinformation is always the best tool in security. Truths always leak but among many disinformations, its indistguishable.

Regarding the use of two companies, I use one as a design and manufacturing contractor (where I'm employed) and the other as an OEM handling primarily marketing issues and the resell of other companies' OEM products. I see my manufactured goods to that corporation only.

Besides the advantages you posted, it also keeps the engineers and the marketing people SEPARATED which is sometimes the biggest blessing. Marketing people will dissolve (spend or squander) perceived available budget so I keep that company running leaner.

And when I get bored with the product line, I can accept any design contract I want for variety even though its out of the scope of my OEM company.

Another thing I suggest to add a layer of protection to your design: potting (encapcilation) of your circuit board assemblies in the case. Be careful of thermal, chemical issues here particularly with SMT.

I've gone through competitors potting layers (hard acrylic brick with the boards inside) to analyze their boards but it stops all but the determined as well as improving certain survivability aspects of the product. My father just happens to be a chemist specializing in plastics. :)

-Jay C. Box