http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1987/1497/contents/made

The Semiconductor Products (Protection of Topography) Regulations 1987

Reference libraries

Citizens Advice Bureaux

King's Printer of Acts of Parliament

2012-01-25

DESIGNS

These Regulations implement Council Directive 87/54/EEC (O.J. No. L 24, 27.1.1987, p. 36) on the legal protection of topographies of semiconductor products. Topography right will subsist in such topographies where they are original and their creators are citizens or residents of member states and in certain other circumstances (reg. 3 and Schedule 1). The right consists of the exclusive right to reproduce and exploit the topographies (subject to certain exceptions) (reg. 4), and runs from creation until ten years after first commercial exploitation or fifteen years after creation (reg. 5). It is infringed by unlicensed reproduction or exploitation (subject to certain exceptions, including a limited exception for reverse engineering) (reg. 6), and civil remedies are available for infringement (reg. 7).