Intellectual Property Protection for Integrated Circuits

Abstract

The intellectual property (IP) protection of integrated circuits (ICs) is of key importance as the semiconductor industry has become a vital part of the advancement of technology and the development of the global economy. This is made clear by the creation of a special IP sui generis right that is meant to protect the layout design of ICs and make them harder to copy. The present article will present an overview of protection of layout designs of ICs and the experience of leading countries in the production of semiconductors. The countries are chosen based on their patenting activity in field which is an indicator of scientific and financial effort of those nations to develop their IC production capabilities.