Integrated Circuit Layout Design Protection Law: Bangladesh and International Perspective

Abstract

The layout designs of integrated circuits are creations of human intellect and that is why it is known as intellectual property (IP). It takes enormous investment of time and money to invent a new layout design of integrated circuits or to renovate the existing integrated circuits. But a chip pirate can easily replicate the layout design of a chip in a few months by removing the chips plastic/ceramic casing and photographing each layer of the translucent silicon material at a fraction of the original cost. The objectives of this study are to discuss the current situation of legal protection of integrated circuit layout designs in Bangladesh, to identify various international legal instruments on integrated circuit layout design and to highlight the necessity and significance of enactment of a new law on integrated circuit layout designs in Bangladesh. Secondary sources have been used in this research. The article has been written based on the Washington treaty, TRIPS Agreement, the Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Layout Design Act 2000 in India, different books, articles of prominent researches, newspaper reports and websites. Some important findings have been stated at the end of the research. The article suggests introducing a new legislation on layout design (topographies) of integrated circuits in Bangladesh.