Intellectual Property Rights - Law and Practice · Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits

Register of Layout-Designs under Section 6 Explained

Updated 11 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The Register of Layout-Designs is the official record kept at the head office of the Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Registry under Section 6. It holds all registered layout-designs with the proprietor's name, address and description. The Registrar controls it. Answer questions by stating the rule, applying it to the facts, and concluding.

Understand Register of Layout-Designs

A layout-design is the layout of transistors and other circuit elements, with their connecting lead wires, in a semiconductor integrated circuit. Protection under the Act depends on registration. The register is where that registration is recorded.

Section 6(1) says a record called the Register of Layout-Designs shall be kept at the head office of the Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Registry. Every registered layout-design is entered in it. Each entry carries the name, address and description of the proprietor, and other matters related to the layout-design as may be prescribed.

Section 6(2) deals with control. The register is kept under the control and management of the Registrar, subject to the superintendence and direction of the Central Government. Section 6(3) says each branch office of the Registry keeps a copy of the register and other documents as the Central Government directs by notification in the Official Gazette.

Other sections make the register useful. Section 87 opens the register to public inspection, subject to prescribed conditions, and lets any person get a certified copy on application and payment of the prescribed fee. Section 80 gives certified copies evidentiary value. Section 59 punishes false entries. Section 48(2) lets the Registrar amend or rectify the register to give effect to an Appellate Board order.

Think of the register as a public land record for chip layouts. It tells the world who owns what, and courts can rely on it.

Key rules to remember

Section 6(1): what the register is: Register of Layout-Designs = record kept at head office of the Registry, entering all registered layout-designs with proprietor's name, address, description and prescribed matters; Only registered layout-designs are entered. 'Registered layout-design' means one actually on the register (Section 2(n)).
Section 6(2): who controls it: Control and management = Registrar, subject to Central Government's superintendence and direction; Do not say the Central Government keeps the register directly.
Section 6(3): branch copies: Each Branch office keeps a copy of the register and other documents as the Central Government directs by Gazette notification; The direction covers which documents are kept, so do not claim every document is kept at every branch.
Section 87: inspection and certified copies: Register and documents behind entries = open to public inspection, subject to prescribed conditions; any person may obtain a certified copy on application and prescribed fee; Section 87(1) begins 'Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (4) of section 25'.
Section 80: evidence: Certified copy under Registrar's certificate and Registry seal = admitted in evidence without further proof or production of original; Registrar's certificate = prima facie evidence; Section 80(1) is admissibility of certified copies. Section 80(2) is prima facie evidence of the entry or act.
Section 59: false entries: False entry or false copy knowingly produced or tendered = imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both; Applies to making or causing a false entry, or a writing falsely purporting to be a copy.

How to solve Register of Layout-Designs questions

Use this method for any question on the register, whether it asks for a description, a short note or a fact-based problem.

1Identify what the question asks: contents, control, location, inspection, evidence, or offences.
2State Section 6 first: the register, where it is kept, what is entered, and who controls it.
3Add the linked section the facts call for: Section 87 for inspection or copies, Section 80 for evidence, Section 59 for false entries, Section 48(2) for rectification.
4Apply the provision to the facts. Name the parties, such as the proprietor, the Registrar and a third party seeking a copy.
5Check conditions: prescribed fee, prescribed conditions, Gazette notification, and the exceptions in the section.
6Conclude clearly in one sentence and, if relevant, give the practical step, such as applying to the Registrar for a certified copy.

Quickest way: Four-part register answer

When to use it: For short notes or when time is tight.

Where: head office of the Registry, copy at branches as notified.
What: registered layout-designs with proprietor's name, address, description and prescribed matters.
Who: Registrar controls it, under Central Government direction.
Use: public inspection and certified copies (Section 87), evidence (Section 80), false entry offence (Section 59).

Common mistakes in Register of Layout-Designs

Saying the register lists all layout-designs filed.
Students confuse applications with registrations.
Fix: Write that Section 6(1) enters registered layout-designs only.
Saying the register is kept at every office in full.
Section 6(3) is remembered loosely.
Fix: The original is at the head office. Branches keep a copy and other documents as the Central Government directs by notification.
Giving control to the Central Government alone.
The words 'superintendence and direction' are misread.
Fix: State that the Registrar controls and manages it, subject to the Central Government's superintendence and direction.
Treating the Registrar's certificate and a certified copy as the same thing.
Both are in Section 80.
Fix: A sealed certified copy is admitted without further proof (80(1)). A certificate under the Registrar's hand is prima facie evidence (80(2)).
Saying anyone can inspect without conditions or get free copies.
'Open to public inspection' is read without the rest.
Fix: Add that inspection is subject to prescribed conditions and copies need an application and the prescribed fee.

Worked examples

Example 1

Nirmal Chips Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, wants to rely in court on its registered layout-design. The other side disputes the entry. Advise how Nirmal can prove the entry.

Show the solution

Rule: Under Section 87(2), any person may apply to the Registrar and, on paying the prescribed fee, obtain a certified copy of any entry in the register.
Evidence: Under Section 80(1), a copy purporting to be certified by the Registrar and sealed with the Registry's seal is admitted in all courts and proceedings without further proof or production of the original.
Alternative: Under Section 80(2), a certificate under the Registrar's hand about an entry is prima facie evidence that the entry was made and of its contents.
Practical point: Under Section 81, the Registrar or Registry officers cannot ordinarily be compelled to produce the register or appear as witnesses where a certified copy can prove the contents, unless the court orders or there is special cause.
Application: Nirmal should apply for a sealed certified copy and file it in court.

Answer: Nirmal should obtain a certified copy under Section 87(2) on paying the prescribed fee. Sealed and certified by the Registrar, it is admitted in evidence without further proof under Section 80(1).

Example 2

Explain what the Register of Layout-Designs contains, where it is kept and who controls it. Would it matter if a person knowingly tenders a forged extract in court?

Show the solution

Contents: Section 6(1) says the register enters all registered layout-designs with the names, addresses and descriptions of the proprietor and other prescribed matters.
Location: It is kept at the head office of the Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Registry. Branch offices keep a copy and other documents as the Central Government directs by notification (Section 6(3)).
Control: The Registrar controls and manages it, subject to the Central Government's superintendence and direction (Section 6(2)).
Forged extract: Section 59 punishes a person who produces or tenders in evidence a writing falsely purporting to be a copy of an entry, knowing it to be false.
Penalty: imprisonment up to two years, or fine, or both.

Answer: The register records registered layout-designs with proprietor details and prescribed matters, is kept at the head office with copies at branches as notified, and is controlled by the Registrar. Knowingly tendering a forged extract is an offence under Section 59, punishable with imprisonment up to two years, or fine, or both.

Exam tips

Quote Section 6(1), (2) and (3) in order. Examiners look for all three limbs.
Link Section 6 to Sections 80, 87 and 59 to show depth, but give section numbers only for those you are sure of.
In fact-based questions, end with a clear conclusion and the practical step, such as applying for a certified copy.
Do not mention a penalty figure beyond what the Act states: two years under Section 59 and, for false claims of registration under Section 57, six months or fine up to fifty thousand rupees.

Practice questions from Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits

Register of Layout-Designs: frequently asked questions

Where is the Register of Layout-Designs kept?

Section 6(1) requires it to be kept at the head office of the Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Registry. Each branch office keeps a copy of the register and other documents as the Central Government directs by notification.

What details are entered in the register?

All registered layout-designs are entered with the proprietor's name, address and description. Other prescribed matters related to the layout-design are also recorded.

Can the public inspect the register?

Yes. Under Section 87, the register and documents on which entries are based are open to public inspection at the Registry, subject to prescribed conditions. Any person can also get a certified copy by applying and paying the prescribed fee.

Who can change an entry in the register?

The Registrar manages the register. Under Section 48(2), the Registrar gives effect to an Appellate Board order and amends or rectifies the entries when so directed.