On August 3, China's State Council issued the revised Regulations on the Protection of Integrated Circuit Layout Designs , signed by Premier Li Qiang, set to take effect on October 15, 2026. The new regulation comprises 6 chapters and 54 articles.

Key updates include:

• Clearer overall direction and alignment with national IP strategies, expanded protection scope, and a principle of good faith.

• Streamlined registration and examination procedures, with penalties for false applications, improved rejection and revocation processes, and new mechanisms for rights restoration.

• Stronger infringement penalties and clearer definitions of layout design exclusivity.

• Provisions for innovation commercialization, public services, and incentives, along with rules for transfer, licensing, pledge, and joint rights-holder exercises.

From ICgoodFind: Stronger IP protection means more value in silicon design. For IC design houses, the new rules raise the cost of copying and the reward for originality – so getting your layout registration right is now a must.