Topographies of Semiconductor Products

Applications for the protection of computer mask works such as are used in the manufacture of semiconductor chips must be filed within two years from the date of first commercial exploitation.

Applicant: can be a citizen or resident of one of the EU States or the other States mentioned in the Decree or a company or firm carrying on substantial business in an EU member State.

Description: the application must be accompanied by a brief description of the topography, drawings or photographs showing the whole topography layout or each single layer or the mask works for manufacturing the semiconductor product.

Duration of protection: protection is granted up to the end of the tenth calendar year in which the topography was registered or commercially exploited, whichever date was earlier.