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- Semiconductor Chips and Mask Works
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- The "Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984"
- provides a special system of legal protection for original
- mask works used in the production of semiconductor chips.
- It confers the exclusive right to reproduce and distribute
- mask works for a term of 10 years, subject to registration
- by the Copyright Office.
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- The Act also created an incentive for other countries
- to provide such protection since its benefits are available
- to any foreign national whose home country's laws extend
- similar protection to U.S. nationals.
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- Protection on an interim basis is available to foreign
- nationals whose country undertakes good faith efforts to
- provide protection for mask works of U.S. nationals. The
- Secretary of Commerce, through the Patent and Trademark
- Office, determines which countries are entitled to
- protection under this Act.
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