The object of protection is an original topology of an integrated circuit which is the result of the creator's own intellectual efforts and was not known among topology creators and integrated circuit manufacturers at the time of its creation.
The legal framework is implemented through Integrated Circuit Topology Act.
The State Registry of Topologies shall contain data on all registered topologies and any subsequent changes to them.
The right to request belongs to the person who created the topology. Where the right of application belongs to several persons, it shall be exercised jointly by them. The refusal of one or more of the persons to participate in the application shall not preclude the others.
The topology lock is effective from:
- the date of the first commercial use of the topology made by the applicant anywhere in the world, if a regular application is filed with the Patent Office within 2 years of that date, or
- The date of filing of the application with the Patent Office, if the topology has not already been commercially used or if it has only been used secretly
The protection shall terminate 10 years after the end of the calendar year in which it commenced.
