An integrated circuit is an electronic device that combines circuit elements on semiconductor crystal configured to perform an electronic function. Typically, an integrated circuit comprises of active electronic devices like transistors or diodes or passive electronic devices such as resistors and capacitors. These elements are configured upon a semiconductor crystal such as silicon. Broadly integrated circuits are classified into microprocessors and memories. A microprocessor typically performs information-processing functions because it has logic circuits capable of electronically performing information processing. Memories enable storing and retrieval of data.

An integrated circuit is thus formed when an electrical circuit is embodied in a chip. All the active and passive components are created in the semiconductor wafer during fabrication process itself. An integrated circuit is a product, in its final form or an intermediate form, in which the elements, at least one of which is an active element, and of some or all of the interconnection are integrally formed in and/or a piece of material and which is intended to perform an electronic function. These components, which are made during fabrication process, are inseparable.

An integrated circuit topography, also known as a layout design, semiconductor chip, or mask work, is the three-dimensional disposition, however expressed, of the elements at least one of which is an active element, and of some or all of the interconnections of an integrated circuit, or such a three-dimensional disposition prepared for an integrated circuit intended for manufacture.

The Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Act, 2000 was passed to fulfill India’s obligations as a TRIPS signatory. It provides protection for semiconductor IC layout designs. Layout design includes a layout of transistors and other circuitry elements and includes lead wires connecting such elements and expressed in any manner in a semiconductor IC. The Act defines a semiconductor integrated circuit as, “a product having transistors and other circuitry elements which are inseparably formed on a semiconductor material or an insulating material or inside the semiconductor material and designed to perform an electronic circuitry function”.

The layout of transistors on the semiconductor integrated circuit or topography of transistors on the integrated circuit determines the size of the integrated circuit as well as its processing power. That is why the layout design of transistors constitutes such an important and unique form of intellectual property fundamentally different from other forms of intellectual property like copyrights, patents, trademarks and industrial designs.