Like copyright, rights in a layout-design (topography) of an integrated circuit subsist immediately when the layout-design (topography) is created.

The duration of protection of a layout-design (topography) depends upon whether such layout-design (topography) is commercially exploited.

If a layout-design (topography) has not been commercially exploited anywhere in the world, the term of the protection will end 15 years after the end of the year in which it was created.

On the other hand, if a layout-design (topography) has been commercially exploited anywhere in the world, the term of the protection will end 10 years after the end of the year in which it was first commercially exploited.