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A Guide to Integrated Circuit Topographies (Page 4 of 4)
Beyond the Basics
Protection abroad
Owners of ICTs should consider protection in other countries, particularly those where significant market opportunities are expected or where significant foreign competitors have manufacturing facilities.
Some twenty countries have explicit intellectual property protection for semiconductor chips. A list of countries granting reciprocal rights may be found in the Integrated Circuit Topography Act on the CIPO website (www.cipo.ic.gc.ca/ict).
Marking a product
While marking of integrated circuit products is not obligatory, it is advisable to mark a product with a title corresponding to the registered title or titles. Failure to do so may constitute a valid defence in an infringement legal action if a defendant can prove having had no knowledge of the registration of the topography.
