China Strengthens Chip Design Protection to Boost Technological Self-Reliance
China has revised its regulations to enhance the protection of chip design layouts, effective from October 15, 2026. The updated rules, consisting of six chapters and 54 articles, aim to increase penalties for violations of layout-design rights and clarify licensing, transfer, and co-ownership rights. This regulatory change is part of China's broader strategy to achieve technological self-reliance in semiconductors, despite facing U.S. export controls. The new regulations require applicants to submit an originality declaration during registration and clearly mark original components in their submissions. The move is aligned with China's 15th Five-Year Plan, which emphasizes the development of advanced process technologies and high-performance processors. 
