The Semiconductor Layout Design Act, 2000: Filling the IPR Gap in India’s Technology Regime

India’s ambition to become a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing has gained traction in recent years. Yet, a critical gap has long existed in the country’s legal framework—particularly concerning the protection of semiconductor integrated circuit layout-designs. To address this void, the Government of India enacted the Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Act in 2000, introducing a unique form of intellectual property protection specific to this technology. This research explores whether the Act effectively bridges that gap in India's IPR regime and whether it contributes meaningfully to fostering innovation in the semiconductor industry. Using a doctrinal research method guided by a law-and-economics perspective, the paper reviews the origins of the Act, its structure, and key provisions. It analyzes the scope of rights granted, the registration process, and enforcement mechanisms to determine how well the law works in practice. The study also examines whether this legal protection has encouraged innovation or investment in the sector. It finds that while the Act was a necessary step toward establishing legal safeguards for semiconductor layout-designs, its impact on innovation remains limited. The paper highlights several challenges in the implementation of the Act, including low registration numbers, lack of awareness, weak enforcement, and limited judicial interpretation. By comparing India’s approach with that of countries like the United States, Japan, and members of the European Union, the study finds that stronger legal systems, industry engagement, and institutional support have contributed to better outcomes elsewhere. In India, these support systems remain underdeveloped. Ultimately, the research concludes that although the Act filled a long-standing legislative gap, it has not yet achieved its full potential. Its contribution to India's broader innovation ecosystem is minimal unless backed by legal reform, institutional strengthening, and better alignment with international best practices. The paper recommends amending the Act to meet higher standards, building stronger enforcement bodies, encouraging collaboration between the government and private sector, and promoting greater public awareness. This study offers a timely contribution to discussions on intellectual property rights in emerging technology sectors. It underlines the need for a more robust and responsive legal framework that can support India’s growing aspirations in the global semiconductor space.