The Layout-Design (Topography) of Integrated Circuits Ordinance (Cap. 445) protects the layout-design (topography) of integrated circuits in computer chips, and semiconductor chips used in computers and other equipments that rely on computer technology, for example, television sets, mobile telephones, medical devices such as hearing aids, and other products with electrical components. 

Like copyright, the rights in layout-designs (topographies) of integrated circuits are protected automatically as soon as the layout-design (topography) is created, and registration of the layout-design (topography) is not required.

For a layout-design (topography) of an integrated circuit to be protected, the layout-design (topography) must be original, and must be recorded in documentary form or incorporated into the integrated circuit. 

A qualified owner has the right to reproduce or to commercially exploit his/her protected layout-design (topography).