The problem
Every digital marketplace follows the same arc: launch as an enabler, grow by attracting participants, then extract value once locked in. Uber, Amazon, Etsy, Airbnb — they all started as tools and became landlords.
In manufacturing, the stakes are higher. These aren’t photos or ride shares — these are proprietary designs, trade secrets, competitive capabilities, irreplaceable heritage objects. If a platform scrapes that data, the damage is permanent.
Current platforms ask you to upload your capabilities, pricing, and customer relationships — then use that information to optimize their own position. No governance. No recourse. No constitutional guarantee.