A registered ICT is protected for up to 10 years. Find out how to file your application.
What is an Integrated Circuit Topography?
Integrated circuit products are constructed from a complex series of layers of semi-conductors, metals, dielectrics and other materials on a substrate. The Integrated Circuit Topography Act (ICT Act) refers to the three-dimensional configuration of these layers as an "integrated circuit topography." An integrated circuit product is a manufactured device in which complex electronic circuits, often called "microchips" or "semi-conductor chips," are integrated. The ICT Act provides protection for the design of a topography but this protection does not extend to the functions performed by the circuit.
Registration of an Integrated Circuit Topography
Canada's integrated circuit topography legislation protects the original design of a registered topography, whether it has been embodied in an integrated circuit product or not. The ICT Act protects registered integrated circuit topographies for up to ten years. The term begins on the filing date of the application for registration. The term ends on December 31 of the tenth year after the year of the first commercial exploitation or the year of the filing date, whichever is earlier. For the owner of a topography to have rights under the ICT Act, the topography must be registered.
Payment of fees
Payments may be made by credit card or by deposit account.
Fee (CAN$):
Filing an application: item 1 of the Tariff of Fees.
Form
Please contact our Client Service Centre for a copy of the ICT application form.