China Issued Revised IC Layout-Design Regulations
China has updated its legal framework for protecting integrated circuit layout-designs. The revised Regulations on the Protection of Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits were promulgated by the State Council on August 4, 2026, and will take effect on October 15, 2026.
The supporting Rules for the Regulations on the Protection of Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits, originally issued by the CNIPA in 2001, are also being updated. The revised draft was released for public comment on August 3, 2026, and the consultation period closed on September 3, 2026. The revised Rules are now pending official promulgation and entry into force.
To help you navigate these changes, we have prepared a clear and accessible overview of the new Regulations and the proposed supporting Rules.
