– Law on Integrated Circuits, in force since September 1, 1999.

Definition: only original topographies of integrated circuits may be protected.

Rights to protection: the right to obtain a Certificate is entitled only to an author or his successor. The same rights are granted to foreigners (a foreign legal entity).

Filing requirements for an application (to be sent to a registered patent attorney): applicant’s name, address, and the material fully representing the topography together with an abstract.

An application for a topography should be filed not later than two years from the day of publication of notification by the authors or their successors.

Scope of protection: the owner has the exclusive right to use the topography or forbid its use.

Infringement of exclusive rights: copying the topography fully or partially (not including the part that is not original) for the purpose of creating integrated circuit (IC) or for other purposes; use of integrated circuits based on the topography, or their importation, sale, or inclusion in processes of turnover.

Exceptions to protection: if the known topography circuits are used for the purpose of developing topographies, their use cannot be considered as infringement.

Duration: ten years from registration date.

After grant procedures: same as for “Patents of Invention“.