Legal Definitions - Semiconductor Chip Protection Act

The Semiconductor Chip Protection Act is a law that was passed in 1984 to protect manufacturers from unauthorized copying or use of semiconductor chips and the mask works used to manufacture them. This law is a form of intellectual property protection.

Semiconductor chips are small electronic components that are used in many devices, such as computers, smartphones, and cars. They are made up of layers of materials that are arranged in a specific way to perform a particular function. The mask works used to manufacture these chips are three-dimensional templates that guide the manufacturing process.

Before the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act was passed, semiconductor chips did not qualify for patent protection because technological advancements were small and often obvious. Additionally, mask works were not eligible for copyright protection because they were considered more functional than expressive.

The Semiconductor Chip Protection Act provides copyright protection to mask works for ten years. This means that manufacturers can prevent others from copying or using their mask works without permission for a period of ten years.

An example of the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act in action is when a company creates a new semiconductor chip design and applies for protection under the law. If the application is approved, the company can prevent others from copying or using their design without permission for ten years.