China has revised its integrated circuit layout-design regulations to explicitly extend intellectual property protection to photonic and quantum chip layouts, marking a significant policy update for emerging chip technologies.
The revised Regulations on the Protection of Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits, adopted by China's State Council, take effect on 15 October 2026.
Among the key changes is an updated definition of integrated circuits that broadens the scope of protection beyond conventional semiconductor designs to include photonic and quantum integrated circuits.
The regulations also introduce stricter requirements for layout-design registration, including originality statements, while allowing third parties to challenge registrations through a formal revocation process.
The revised framework strengthens enforcement by expanding remedies for infringement and reinforcing legal protection for registered chip layouts.
The policy follows growing activity in photonic and quantum integrated circuit development, with experts cited alongside the regulations noting increasing innovation in these fields.
The revisions are intended to provide a legal framework that keeps pace with next-generation integrated circuit technologies and supports continued investment in advanced chip design.
By formally recognising photonic integrated circuit layouts within its IP framework, China aims to strengthen protection for emerging technologies as it expands research and commercial development in photonics and quantum computing.
