Layout - Designs of Integrated Circuits
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An Integrated Circuit (IC) is an electronic circuit in which the elements of the circuit are integrated into some medium, and which functions as a unit. Currently, the medium used is a solid semiconductor, usually silicon.
Manufacturing technology allows the circuit to be integrated into a piece of silicon, commonly called a "chip" or "silicon chip". The terms "integrated circuit", "semiconductor" and "silicon chip" are used synonymously as commercial ICs are usually fabricated from silicon semiconductors. ICs are utilised in many products ranging from watches and televisions to traffic lights and computers.
A layout-design of an IC refers essentially to the 3-dimensional character of the elements and interconnections of an IC.
In Singapore, an original layout-design of an IC is protected by the Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits Act (Cap.159A). The Act prevents the copying and commercial exploitation of an original layout-design of an IC, namely, one which is both the result of its creator’s own intellectual effort, and which is not commonplace among creators of layout-designs and manufacturers of ICs.
There is no need to file any application to protect a layout-design in Singapore. A citizen or resident of Singapore, a WTO country, or specified qualifying countries, who owns a layout-design enjoys automatic protection for the layout-design if it qualifies for protection under the law. There is no requirement in Singapore for registration or for any deposit of the layout-design.
With the enactment of the Act on 15 February 1999, an IC created after that date will be protected either for :
- 10 years if it is first used commercially within five years of creation; or
- in any other case, 15 years after its creation.
The owner who takes legal action under the Act for infringement may seek relief in the form of an injunction or demand an accounting for the profits gained and/or seek damages for the loss suffered from the infringement.
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