Practical Law Glossary Item 9-504-3801 (Approx. 3 pages)
Glossary
Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984 (SCPA)
The federal statute creating legal protection for certain mask works (17 U.S.C. §§ 901-914). The Act sets out the legal requirements and scope of protection for mask works and designates the US Copyright Office as the administrator of mask work registrations.
Under the SCPA, registration of mask works is required for protection. The owner of a registered mask work has the exclusive right to:
Make copies of the mask work.
Import or distribute semiconductor chips based on the mask work.