An original layout design for integrated circuits and chips is entitled to circuit layout rights. Circuit layouts usually involve a great deal of intellectual effort in creating an original layout and is therefore of considerable value.

The protection for circuit layouts is new in Malaysia. Provided certain requirements are met, the owner of a layout-design has the exclusive rights to copy, make and to commercially exploit the circuit layouts. The owner will be entitled to protection for a period of 10 years from the date the layout-design is first commercially exploited (where 50 or more items are manufactured) in Malaysia or elsewhere. However under the current Malaysian legislation, the protection granted to a layout-design will lapse 15 years after the date the layout-design is created.