반도체산업의 발전과 반도체집적회로의 배치설계에 관한 법률의 재고찰

Act on Layout-Designs of Semiconductor Integrated Circuit was enacted in 1992. Since then, more than 15 years have passed, but the Act still has been very rarely used. Moreover, the use of this act tends to be decreasing. Such less using is not a unique problem for us. The U.S. and Japan which have similar acts to us have met the similar problem. The Korea already recognized problems and did research of it. In 2007, reflecting the results of the research, the amendment was completed. However, in 2006, the number of registration increased without any reason and with 2007 amendment, still the number of registration remains unchanged. Accordingly, the fundamental reasons for less using the act may be not a complicated registration procedure and expensive registration fee, but the change of technological environments which demanded this act. The rapid development of technology makes illegal copying unprofitable, and custom semiconductor chip lessens the demand of pirated chips and destroys the market for pirated products. Therefore, it may be the time to consider abolishment of the act. If we may find some reasons for the act to continue to exist, the aspects which cannot be protected by existing intellectual property laws continue to exist on semiconductor chips, and merits of this act which protects semiconductor chips in a fast way and without strict conditions must be strengthened and the extent of its application must be broadened.