Circuit layout rights

For businesses creating unique and highly complex integrated circuits or computer chips, a lot of value can be created from selling layouts to others. It's therefore important to understand how your creation is protected from being copied.

Circuit layout rights automatically protect original layout designs for integrated circuits and computer chips under the Circuit Layouts Act 1989. Rights do not have to be registered or granted.

The owner of an original circuit layout has exclusive right to:

• copy the layout in a material form
• make integrated circuits from the layout, and
• exploit it commercially in Australia.

The Attorney-General's Department administers the legislation for automatic rights to circuit layout rights.