China steps up protection for chip designs in revised regulations

China is tightening protections for integrated‑circuit layout designs—raising originality standards and cracking down on low‑quality or bad‑faith registrations.
The revised rules let courts award damages (including punitive damages in serious cases) and clarify licensing, transfers and rewards for creators.
The move, effective Oct. 15, is part of Beijing’s push to safeguard domestic chip know‑how after U.S. curbs on design tools and equipment.