Announcement of the Revised Regulations on the Protection of Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits
The Regulations on the Protection of Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits have been formally revised, clarifying exclusive right registration and a 10-year protection period They regulate licensing use and liability for infringement, helping to promote technological innovation and industrial development, and are worth attention
Beijing, August 3, Xinhua News Agency — The State Council’s revised Regulations on the Protection of LayoutDesigns of Integrated Circuits were officially promulgated and will take effect on October 15, 2026.
The regulations make clear that the exclusive right to a layoutdesign of integrated circuits is protected by law, with the aim of encouraging technological innovation, promoting scientific and technological development, and improving China’s standards in the creation, use, protection, management, and services related to layoutdesigns. The regulations set out systematic provisions on the definition of layoutdesigns, ownership of rights, registration procedures, term of protection, licensing, compulsory licensing, and liability for infringement.
According to the regulations, the exclusive right to a layoutdesign arises upon registration, with a protection term of 10 years. At the same time, the regulations also provide detailed arrangements regarding originality requirements, application materials, preliminary and reexamination procedures, recordfiling for transfer of rights, fair use, and legal liability, so as to regulate the protection of relevant rights and market order.