If the deposit of a layout-design of integrated circuits has been made on behalf of
several persons, it may be withdrawn only if so required by all the persons concerned.
If rights, in particular a pledge or a license, have been entered in the National Register
of Layout-designs of Integrated Circuits, the declaration of withdrawal shall be admissible
only if it is accompanied by the written consent of the owners of these rights.
16. The deposit of a layout-design of integrated circuits shall be declared void by
means of a court decision in the following cases:
— if the layout-design of the integrated circuits, as defined in Article 3 of this Law,
may not be protected;
— if the depositor does not have the status of creator, as defined in Article 5 of this
Law;
— if the deposit has not been made within the period specified in Article 11 of this
Law.
The action to declare void shall be brought before the courts by any interested party.
If the reasons for declaring void affect the layout-design of the integrated circuits only
partially, the declaration shall be made only for the part concerned.
Where a deposit has been declared void by means of a court decision having acquired
the force of res judicata, a copy of this decision shall be sent to the body responsible for
industrial property by the party concerned.
The decision to declare void shall have absolute effect.
Chapter III
Rights Attached to the Deposit
17. Without the authorization of the owner, third parties shall be forbidden to:
— reproduce all or part of the layout-design of integrated circuits, apart from where the
reproduction is of a part which does not satisfy the requirements of originality;
— use, for commercial purposes, a reproduction of the layout-design of integrated
circuits or import for this purpose such a reproduction or any product incorporating it;
This prohibition shall not extend to:
— reproduction for evaluation, analysis, research or teaching purposes;
— creation, from such analysis, research or evaluation, of a distinct layout-design of
integrated circuits able to claim the protection provided for by this Law.
The prohibition provided for in the first subparagraph of this article may not be effective
against any person who acquires an integrated circuit in good faith. That person shall,
however, be liable to pay fair compensation if he intends to continue the commercial use of
the circuit. Where an amicable settlement is not reached, the amount of this compensation
shall be fixed by the competent court.
18. The protection granted to a layout-design of integrated circuits under this Law shall
take effect on the day of the deposit or of the date of the first commercial use of the integrated
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