China Redefines Integrated Circuits, Boosts IP Protection for Chips

China updated legal definitions and protections for integrated circuits, strengthening chip innovation safeguards.

China is advancing its global leadership in integrated circuits by legally redefining them and bolstering protections to prevent copying of local chip designs. This policy move is part of a concentrated effort to protect and promote innovation in critical technology sectors.

In the first half of 2026, China produced an impressive 279.8 billion integrated circuits, marking a 23.1% year-over-year growth, according to the State Council Information Office. To support these gains, China has established 82 national-level intellectual property rights (IPR) protection centers that oversee fields including integrated circuits, AI, quantum tech, and biomedical innovations (SCIO).

The country is updating its legal framework with targeted revisions to patent examination guidelines introducing dedicated standards for AI, big data, and related technologies—integral to chip innovation. Legal rules around trademarks are also being refined to address issues like malicious registrations and misuse, while further regulations focusing on integrated circuit layout designs are underway to foster large-scale development and breakthroughs (SCIO).

These advances align with broader policy initiatives such as China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which emphasizes building a Digital China through secure and efficient computing supply chains and a well-regulated tech ecosystem (SCIO).

Strengthening domestic IP protections also helps China shield its technology sector from extraterritorial legal pressures, enhancing its ability to combat unfair foreign regulatory actions, according to recent analyses (South China Morning Post).

While exact legal details of the new definition of integrated circuits were not disclosed, these moves clearly position China to be more self-reliant and globally competitive in semiconductor innovation.