Act on the Circuit Layout of a Semiconductor Integrated Circuits - English

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Act on the Circuit Layout of a Semiconductor Integrated Circuits

Act No. 43 of May 31, 1985

Chapter I General Provisions(Articles 1 and 2)

Chapter II Registration of Establishment of Layout Design License(Articles 3 to 9)

Chapter III Layout Design License, etc.

Section 1 Layout Design License(Articles 10 to 21)

Section 2 Infringement of Right(Articles 22 to 26)

Section 3 Compensation(Article 27)

Chapter IV Registration Agency(Articles 28 to 46)

Chapter V Miscellaneous Provisions(Articles 47 to 50)

Chapter VI Penal Provisions(Articles 51 to 57)

Supplementary Provisions

Chapter I General Provisions

(Purpose)

Article 1The purpose of this Act is to establish a system for ensuring the proper exploitation of the layout-design of semiconductor integrated circuits and thereby to promote the development of semiconductor integrated circuits to contribute to the sound development of the national economy.

(Definitions)

Article 2(1)The term "semiconductor integrated circuits" as used in this Act means a product having transistors or other circuitry elements inseparably formed on the surface of a semiconductor material or an insulating material, or within a semiconductor material, and designed to perform electronic circuitry functions.

(2)The term "layout-design" as used in this Act means a layout of circuitry elements in semiconductor integrated circuits and the lead wires connecting such elements.

(3)The term "exploitation" in relation to layout-design as used in this Act means any of the following acts:

(i)an act of manufacturing semiconductor integrated circuits utilizing such layout-design; and

(ii)an act of transferring, leasing, displaying for the purpose of transfer or leasing, or importing semiconductor integrated circuits (including articles incorporating the relevant semiconductor integrated circuits as a part thereof) manufactured utilizing such layout-design.

Chapter II Registration of Establishment of Layout Design License

(Registration of Establishment of Layout Design License)

Article 3(1)A person who has created a layout-design or the person's successor (hereinafter referred to as a "creator, etc.") must be entitled to register the establishment of a layout design license for the person's layout-design (hereinafter referred to as a "registration of establishment").In this case, if there are two or more creators, etc. they must jointly apply for a registration of establishment.

(2)A person who intends to apply for a registration of establishment must submit a written application specifying the following matters to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry:

(i)the name and domicile or residence of the applicant, and for a juridical person, the name of its representative;

(ii)the date of filing the application;

(iii)for a person who performs the acts listed in paragraph (3), item (ii) of the preceding Article in relation to the layout-design in the course of trade, the date on which the person first performed such act;

(iv)the name and domicile or residence of the person who has created the layout-design; and

(v)beyond what is set forth in the preceding items, any matters specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(3)In filing a written application as prescribed in the preceding paragraph, drawings depicting the layout-design pertaining to the application or a photograph showing the relevant layout-design, and a written explanation stating that the applicant is a creator, etc. and other supporting materials specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry must be attached thereto, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(Change to the Name of an Applicant)

Article 4(1)The name of an applicant may be changed.

(2)A change to the name of an applicant has no effect unless it is notified to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, except in the case of inheritance or other general succession.

(3)When there has been any change to the name of an applicant due to inheritance or other general succession, such change must be notified to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, without delay.

(Creation of Layout-Design in the Course of Duties)

Article 5With respect to a layout-design created by a person engaged for a juridical person or another employer in the course of duties, such juridical person or other employer is the creator of the relevant layout-design, unless otherwise stipulated by a contract at the time of the creation of the relevant layout-design, work regulations or the like.

(Exploitation of Layout-Design prior to Application)

Article 6No application for a registration of establishment may be accepted in the case where a creator, etc. or another person with authorization therefrom had performed the acts listed in Article 2, paragraph (3), item (ii), in the course of trade, in relation to a layout-design pertaining to the application more than two years prior to the date on which the relevant application is filed.

(Registration of Establishment and Public Notice)

Article 7(1)The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry must, when an application for a registration of establishment is filed, make the registration of establishment except in the case where the Minister dismisses the application pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the following Article.

(2)A registration of establishment is to be completed, with the entry of the name and domicile or residence of a person to be registered, the date of registration and any other matters specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in the layout-design registry.

(3)The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry must, when the Minister has made a registration of establishment as prescribed in paragraph (1), publicly notify the matters specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(Dismissal of Application for Registration of Establishment)

Article 8(1)The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry must, when it is evident from a written application set forth in Article 3, paragraph (2) and drawings and other supporting materials attached thereto that the application falls under any of the following items, dismiss the application for a registration of establishment:

(i)that the applicant is not a creator, etc;

(ii)that, in the case where there are two or more creators, etc., they do not jointly apply for a registration of establishment;

(iii)that the layout-design pertaining to the application is not eligible for a registration of establishment pursuant to the provisions of Article 6; and

(iv)that the written application does not conform with the required form or there are any other grounds specified by Cabinet Order.

(2)The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry must, when the Minister has dismissed an application pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, notify the applicant to that effect by indicating the reason therefor without delay.

(Cancellation of Registration of Establishment)

Article 9(1)The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry must, when it is evident that an application for a registration of establishment has fallen under any of items (i) to (iii) of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, cancel said registration of establishment.

(2)A hearing with respect to the cancellation of a registration of establishment as prescribed in the preceding paragraph must be held on giving notice with a reasonable period of time to the registered right holders in relation to a layout design license pertaining to the relevant registration of establishment.

(3)The presiding official of the hearing prescribed in the preceding paragraph must, at the request of any registered right holders as prescribed in the preceding paragraph, permit such person to intervene in the process of the relevant hearing pursuant to the provisions of Article 17, paragraph (1) of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993).

(4)The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry must, when the Minister has cancelled a registration of establishment pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), notify the registered holder of a layout design license pertaining to the relevant registration of establishment, as well as publicly notify, to that effect.

Chapter III Layout Design License, etc.

Section 1 Layout Design License

(Accrual and Duration of Layout Design License)

Article 10(1)A layout design license accrues when a registration of establishment is made.

(2)The duration of a layout design license ends ten years after the date on which a registration of establishment is made.

(Effect of Layout Design License)

Article 11A holder of a layout design license has the exclusive right to exploit a layout-design for which a registration of establishment has been made in the course of trade (hereinafter referred to as a "registered layout-design"); provided, however, that in the case where an exclusive (layout design) license has been established in relation to their layout-design exploitation right, this does not apply to the extent that a holder of an exclusive (layout design) license exclusive exploitation right has a right to exploit the registered layout-design exclusively.

(Limitation on Layout Design License)

Article 12(1)The effect of a layout design license does not extend to any exploitation of layout-design which is created by other persons.

(2)The effect of a layout design license does not extend to any acts of manufacturing semiconductor integrated circuits utilizing the registered layout-design in the case where it is for the purpose of analysis or evaluation.

(3)Where any holder of a layout design license, holder of an exclusive (layout design) license or holder of a non-exclusive (layout design) license has transferred semiconductor integrated circuits (including articles incorporating the relevant semiconductor integrated circuits as a part thereof; hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph) manufactured utilizing the registered layout-design, the effect of a layout design license does not extend to any acts of transferring, leasing, displaying for the purpose of transfer or leasing, or importing the transferred semiconductor integrated circuits.

(Relation to Other Person's Patented Inventions)

Article 13No holder of a layout design license, holder of an exclusive (layout design) license or holder of a non-exclusive (layout design) license may exploit the registered layout-design in the course of trade, when such exploitation of the registered layout-design falls under the working of another person's patented invention or registered utility model.

(Jointly Held Layout Design License)

Article 14(1)None of the co-owners of a layout design license may either assign their share or create a pledge on it without the consent of the other co-owners.

(2)Each co-owner of a layout design license may exploit the registered layout-design without the consent of the other co-owners, unless otherwise agreed upon by contract.

(3)None of the co-owners of a layout design license may either establish an exclusive (layout design) license or grant a non-exclusive (layout design) license to a third party in relation to their layout design license without the consent of the other co-owners.

(Extinction of Layout Design License due to Dissolution of Juridical Person)

Article 15A layout design license ceases to exist in the following cases:

(i)where, upon the dissolution of a juridical person holding a layout design license, the layout design license is to belong to the national treasury pursuant to the provisions of Article 239, paragraph (3) of the Act on General Incorporated Associations and General Incorporated Foundations (Act No.48 of 2006) or the provisions of other equivalent Acts; and

(ii)where, upon the death of an individual who is a holder of a layout design license, the layout design license is to belong to the national treasury pursuant to the provisions of Article 959 of the Civil Code (Act No. 89 of 1896).

(Exclusive (Layout Design) License)

Article 16(1)A holder of a layout design license may establish an exclusive (layout design) license in relation to their layout design licens.

(2)A holder of an exclusive (layout design) license has the exclusive right to exploit the registered layout-design in the course of trade to the extent laid down in the act of establishment.

(3)An exclusive (layout design) license may be transferred only when the business involving the exploitation of layout-design is also transferred, when it is with the consent of the holders of a layout design license, or when it is as a result of inheritance or other general succession.

(4)A holder of an exclusive (layout design) license may create a pledge or grant a non-exclusive (layout design) license to a third party in relation to their exclusive (layout design) license only with the consent of the holders of a layout design license.

(5)The provisions of Article 14 apply mutatis mutandis to an exclusive (layout design) license.

(Non-Exclusive (Layout Design) License)

Article 17(1)A holder of a layout design license may grant a non-exclusive (layout design) license to any third party in relation to their layout design license.

(2)A holder of a non-exclusive (layout design) license has the right to exploit the registered layout-design in the course of trade to the extent laid down in the act of establishment.

(3)A non-exclusive (layout design) license may be transferred only when the business involving the exploitation of layout-design is also transferred, when it is with the consent of the holders of a layout design license (or, for a non-exclusive (layout design) license granted in relation to an exclusive (layout design) license, both the holders of a layout design license and the holders of an exclusive (layout design) license; the same applies in the following paragraph), or when it is as a result of inheritance or other general succession.

(4)A holder of a non-exclusive (layout design) license may create a pledge in relation to their non-exclusive (layout design) license only with the consent of the holders of a layout design license.

(5)The provisions of Article 14, paragraph (1) and (2) apply mutatis mutandis to a non-exclusive (layout design) license.

(Pledge)

Article 18Where a pledge has been created on a layout design license, exclusive (layout design) license or non-exclusive (layout design) license, the pledgee may not utilize the relevant registered layout-design unless otherwise agreed upon by contract.

Article 19A pledge on any layout design license, exclusive (layout design) license or non-exclusive (layout design) license may be exercised against any consideration to be paid for the layout design license, exclusive (layout design) license or non-exclusive (layout design) license, or any money or goods to be received by either of the holder of a layout design license or the holder of an exclusive (layout design) license for the exploitation of the registered layout-design; provided, however, that the consideration, money or goods must be attached prior to the payment of money or delivery of goods.

(Waiver of Layout Design License)

Article 20(1)A holder of a layout design license may, when there is any holder of an exclusive (layout design) license, holder of a non-exclusive (layout design) license or pledgee, waive their layout design license only with the consent of such person.

(2)A holder of an exclusive (layout design) license may, when there is any holder of a non-exclusive (layout design) license or pledgee, waive their exclusive (layout design) license only with the consent of such persons.

(3)A holder of a non-exclusive (layout design) license may, when there is pledgee, waive their non-exclusive (layout design) license only with the consent of such person.

(Effect of Registration)

Article 21(1)No matters listed in the following items may be perfected against any third party unless they have been registered:

(i)the transfer (excluding a transfer due to inheritance or other general succession), or restriction on disposition, of a layout design license;

(ii)the establishment, transfer (excluding a transfer due to inheritance or other general succession), modification, extinction (excluding extinction due to confusion, or extinction of a layout design license), or restriction on disposition, of an exclusive (layout design) license;

(iii)the transfer (excluding a transfer due to inheritance or other general succession), modification, extinction (excluding extinction due to confusion, or extinction of a layout design license or an exclusive (layout design) license), or restriction on disposition, of a non-exclusive (layout design) license; and

(iv)the establishment, transfer (excluding a transfer due to inheritance or other general succession), modification, extinction (excluding extinction due to confusion, or extinction of a credit secured thereby), or restriction on disposition, of pledge on a layout design license, exclusive (layout design) license or non-exclusive (layout design) license.

(2)A non-exclusive (layout design) license, when it has been registered, becomes effective even on any person who subsequently acquires its layout design license, its exclusive (layout design) license, or an exclusive (layout design) license in relation to its layout design license.

(3)The registration set forth in the preceding two paragraphs is completed by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, with the entry of the relevant matters in the layout-design registry.

Section 2 Infringement of Rights

(Right to Seek Injunction)

Article 22(1)A holder of a layout design license or a holder of an exclusive (layout design) license may demand that a person who infringes or is likely to infringe their own layout design license or exclusive (layout design) license should discontinue or prevent such infringement.

(2)A holder of a layout design license or a holder of an exclusive (layout design) license may, upon making a demand pursuant to the preceding paragraph, demand that the measures necessary for the prevention of such infringement, including the disposal of semiconductor integrated circuits constituting such act of infringement or materials provided for the act of infringement, should be taken.

(Acts Deemed to Constitute Infringement)

Article 23Any act of manufacturing, transferring, leasing, displaying for the purpose of transfer or leasing, or importing products used solely for the purpose of imitating the registered layout-design in the course of trade is deemed to constitute infringement of a layout design license or an exclusive (layout design) license.

(Special Provisions for a Person in Good Faith)

Article 24(1)Any act of transferring, leasing, displaying for the purpose of transfer or leasing, or importing semiconductor integrated circuits (including articles incorporating the semiconductor integrated circuits as a part thereof; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) performed in the course of trade by a person who was unaware that, and was not at fault in that that person was unaware that, the relevant semiconductor integrated circuits were manufactured utilizing a layout-design imitating the registered layout-design pertaining to another person's layout design license or exclusive (layout design) license (hereinafter referred to as the "fact of imitation") at the time of the delivery of the relevant semiconductor integrated circuits (hereinafter referred to as a "person in good faith") is not deemed to constitute an act of infringement of the relevant layout design license or exclusive (layout design) license.

(2)A holder of a layout design license or a holder of an exclusive (layout design) license may, when a person in good faith has performed any act of transferring, leasing, displaying for the purpose of transfer or leasing, or importing the semiconductor integrated circuits in the course of trade after having become aware of the fact of imitation, claim against such person for the payment of money in an amount equivalent to the amount the holder normally gains through the exploitation of the registered layout-design.

(3)When the payment has been made by a person in good faith to the holder of a layout design license or the holder of an exclusive (layout design) license as prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the semiconductor integrated circuits are deemed to have been transferred by the relevant holder of a layout design license or holder of an exclusive (layout design) license.

(4)The provisions of Article 26 and the provisions of Article 719, paragraph (1) and Article 724 of the Civil Code apply mutatis mutandis to the exercise of the right to claim prescribed in paragraph (2).

(Presumption of Amount of Damages)

Article 25(1)When the holder of a layout design license or the holder of an exclusive (layout design) license claims against an infringer for compensation for damages caused as a result of intentional or negligent infringement of their own layout design license or exclusive (layout design) license, and if the infringer has earned profits from such act of infringement, the amount of profits earned by the infringer is presumed to be the amount of damage sustained by the holder of a layout design license or the holder of an exclusive (layout design) license.

(2)The holder of a layout design license or the holder of an exclusive (layout design) license may claim against an infringer for an amount equivalent to the amount the holder normally gains through the exploitation of the registered layout-design, by regarding said amount to be the compensation for damages caused as a result of the intentional or negligent infringement of their layout design license or exclusive (layout design) license.

(3)The provisions of the preceding paragraph do not prevent any claim of compensation for damages in an amount exceeding the amount prescribed therein.In this case, when, with regard to the infringer of a layout design license or an exclusive (layout design) license, there was neither intent nor gross negligence, the court may take these circumstances into consideration in determining the amount of damages.

(Production of Documents)

Article 26In litigation concerning the infringement of a layout design license or an exclusive (layout design) license, the court may, upon the motion of a party, order the other party to produce documents required to calculate the damages caused by the relevant act of infringement; provided, however, that this does not apply where there are legitimate grounds for the person possessing the documents to refuse production of the documents.

Section 3 Compensation

(Compensation)

Article 27(1)In the case where a creator, etc. of a layout-design or a person with authorization therefrom had performed the acts listed in Article 2, paragraph (3), item (ii) in the course of trade prior to the registration of establishment with respect to the relevant layout-design, and if, during the period after such act had been performed until the registration of establishment is made, any person who was aware that a layout-design was imitating the relevant layout-design (hereinafter referred to as an "imitated layout-design" in this paragraph and paragraph (4)) and exploited such imitated layout-design in the course of trade, such person, if a registration of establishment for the relevant layout-design is made, is liable to pay compensation equivalent to the amount the person normally is required to pay through such exploitation to the creator, etc. of the relevant layout-design.

(2)The right to claim compensation as prescribed in the preceding paragraph may not be exercised until a registration of establishment with respect to the relevant layout-design has been made.

(3)In the case where a registration of establishment with respect to the layout-design prescribed in paragraph (1) was made but cancelled pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, the right to claim compensation as prescribed in the same paragraph is deemed never to have existed.

(4)The provisions of Article 23 and the preceding Article of this Act, and Article 719, paragraph (1) and Article 724 of the Civil Code apply mutatis mutandis to the case where the right to claim compensation as prescribed in paragraph (1) is exercised.In this case, where a person having the relevant right has become aware of the fact of the exploitation of the imitated layout-design as well as of a person who exploited the imitated layout-design prior to the registration of establishment for the relevant layout-design, the term "the time when the victim or their legal representative comes to know the damages and the identity of the perpetrator" in Article 724 of the Civil Code is deemed to be replaced with "the date of the registration of establishment for the relevant layout-design."

Chapter IV Registration Agency

(Registration of a Registration Agency)

Article 28(1)The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry may, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, have an agency registered by the Minister (hereinafter referred to as a "registration agency") conduct administrative duties in response to a request for a registration of establishment, registration under Article 21, paragraphs (1) and (2), and claims under Article 48, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as the "affairs of the registration of establishment, etc."), in whole or in part.

(2)Registration of a registration agency to be made by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as an "agency registration") is made, pursuant to the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, upon application by an agency which intends to conduct the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc.

(3)When the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry has made an agency registration, the Minister is not to administer the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. to be conducted by the relevant registration agency.

(4)With regard to the application of the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (2), Article 4, paragraphs (2) and (3), Article 7, paragraphs (1) and (3), Article 8, Article 9, Article 21, paragraph (3) and Article 48, paragraph (1) to the case where the registration agency conducts the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., the term "the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry" in these provisions (excluding Article 48, paragraph (1)) is deemed to be replaced with "the registration agency" and the term "to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry" in the same paragraphs is deemed to be replaced with "to the registration agency."

(Disqualification Provisions)

Article 29Any person who falls under any of the following items may not be registered as a registration agency:

(i)any person who was punished by a fine or severer punishment in violation of any provisions of this Act or any order issued pursuant to this Act, and when two years have not yet passed since such person had completed the punishment or since it had become unnecessary for such person to serve out such punishment;

(ii)any person who was dismissed by an order issued pursuant to the provisions of Article 37 and when two years have not yet passed since the date of such dismissal;

(iii)any person whose agency registration was rescinded pursuant to the provisions of Article 41 and when two years have not yet passed from the date of such rescission; or

(iv)any juridical person any one of whose executive officers falls under any of the preceding three items.

(Requirements for Agency Registration)

Article 30(1)The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry must make an agency registration when the Minister considers that a person who applies for an agency registration (hereinafter referred to as the "applicant for an agency registration" in this paragraph) conforms to all the requirements listed as follows (in this case, necessary procedures with respect to an agency registration are stipulated by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry):

(i)that the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. are conducted by a person who falls under any of the following conditions and that two or more such persons are assigned at each place of business where the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. are carried out:

(a)a person who graduated from a university (excluding junior colleges) under the School Education Act (Act No. 26 of 1947) or a university under the old University Order (Imperial Order No. 388 of 1918), and who has experience of being engaged for one year or more in total in registration works for intangible property rights;

(b)a person who graduated from a junior college or a college of technology under the School Education Act, or a professional training college under the old Professional Training College Order (Imperial Order No. 61 of 1903), and who has experience of being engaged for two years or more in total in registration works for intangible property rights;

(c)a person who has the knowledge and experience equivalent to or greater than that of persons listed in (a) and (b) above; and

(d)a person who has experience of being engaged for three years or more in total in registration works for intangible property rights;

(ii)that, as an entity controlled by a person who creates layout-design, manufactures semiconductor integrated circuits or imports semiconductor integrated circuits (excluding articles incorporating semiconductor integrated circuits as a part thereof) in the course of trade (hereinafter referred to as the "business operator engaged in the creation, etc. of a layout-design" in this item), the applicant for an agency registration does not fall under any of the following items:

(a)that, in the case where an applicant for an agency registration is a stock company, the business operator engaged in the creation, etc. of a layout-design is said applicant's parent corporation (meaning a parent corporation as prescribed in Article 879, paragraph (1) of the Companies Act (Act No. 86 of 2005));

(b)that the ratio of the officers or employees of the business operator engaged in the creation, etc. of a layout-design (including those who have been officers or employees of the relevant business operator engaged in the creation, etc. of a layout-design in the past two years) out of the officers of the applicant for an agency registration (or executing members in the case of a membership company (meaning a membership company as prescribed in Article 575, paragraph (1) of the Companies Act)) exceeds one half; and

(c)that the applicant for an agency registration (or in the case of a juridical person, the officer having the right to represent) is an officer or employee of the business operator engaged in the creation, etc. of a layout-design (including those who have been an officer or employee of the relevant business operator engaged in the creation, etc. of a layout-design in the past two years).

(2)An agency registration is completed, with the entry of the following matters in the agency registration registry:

(i)the date and registration number of an agency registration;

(ii)the name and domicile of a person registered as a registration agency, or, for a juridical person, name of its representative; and

(iii)the address of the place of business where a registered agency carries out the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc.

(Renewal of Agency Registration)

Article 30-2(1)An agency registration is renewed every three years or over a longer period as specified by Cabinet Order, or else cease to be effective with the lapse of such period.

(2)The provisions of Article 28, paragraph (2) and the preceding two Articles apply mutatis mutandis to the renewal of an agency registration as prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

(Obligation of Registration of Establishment)

Article 31(1)A registration agency must, when requested to make a registration of establishment and a registration under Article 21, paragraphs (1) and (2), make such registration without delay unless there are legitimate grounds for refusing to do so.

(2)A registration agency must, in conducting the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., have a person as prescribed in Article 30, paragraph (1), item (i) (hereinafter referred to as a "person who implements the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc.") implement such affairs.

(Change of Office)

Article 32A registration agency must, when intending to change the address of its office, where it conducts the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., notify the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of the change two weeks prior to the date on which the change is scheduled to be made.

(Operational Rules for Affairs of the Registration of Establishment)

Article 33(1)A registration agency must provide operational rules with respect to the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. (hereinafter referred to as the "operational rules for the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc.") and obtain approval from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry prior to the commencement of the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. The same applies when it intends to amend the operational rules for the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc.

(2)Matters to be included in the operational rules for the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. are stipulated by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(3)The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry may, when the Minister finds that the approved operational rules for the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. under paragraph (1) have become inappropriate for the fair administration of the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., order the registration agency to amend the operational rules.

(Suspension or Abolition of Affairs of the Registration of Establishment)

Article 34The registration agency must not suspend or abolish the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., in whole or in part, without obtaining the permission of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(Keeping and Inspecting of Financial Statements)

Article 34-2(1)A registration agency must, within three months after the end of each business year, prepare an inventory of assets, a balance sheet and a income and expenditure statement or a settlement of accounts and a business report for each business year (in the case where these documents are prepared as electronic or magnetic records (meaning records produced by an electronic device, magnetic device or any other device not recognizable to human senses, which are used for information processing by a computer; hereinafter the same applies in this Article), or electronic or magnetic records prepared instead of preparing the documents, the relevant electronic or magnetic records are included; hereinafter referred to as "financial statements, etc." in the following paragraph, paragraph (2) of the following Article and Article 57) and keep them in its place of business for five years.

(2)An applicant for a registration of establishment and other interested persons may make the request listed as follows at any time during the office hours of a registration agency; provided, however, that with regard to the requests set out in item (ii) or item (iv), said applicant, etc. must pay the costs set by the registration agency:

(i)request for inspection or copying of the financial statements, etc. when they are prepared in writing;

(ii)request for a transcript or extract from the documents set forth in the preceding item;

(iii)request for inspection or copying of the contents indicating the matters recorded on the electronic or magnetic record in accordance with the method specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, when the financial statements etc. are prepared as the relevant electronic or magnetic records; and

(iv)request for providing the electronically or magnetically recorded matters set forth in the preceding item in an electronic or magnetic means specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry or a request for issuance of the document containing the relevant matters.

(Business Plan)

Article 35(1)A registration agency must, prior to the commencement of each business year (or without delay after having been registered as a registration agency in the business year containing the date of such registration), prepare a business plan and income and expenditure budget for such business year and submit them to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. The same applies when the registration agency intends to amend them.

(2)A registration agency must, when it has prepared the financial statements, etc. submit them to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry without delay.

(Appointment and Dismissal of Officer)

Article 36A registration agency must, upon the appointment or dismissal of an officer or the person who implements the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., notify the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to that effect without delay.

(Dismissal Order)

Article 37The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry may, when the person who implements the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. of a registration agency has committed any act in violation of the provisions of this Act, orders issued pursuant to this Act or operational rules for the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. or who has committed a grossly inappropriate act in connection with the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., order the registration agency to dismiss such person.

(Duty of Confidentiality)

Article 38(1)Any officer of the registration agency (or, for a registration agency which is not a juridical person, any person who has obtained the agency registration; the same appleis in the following paragraph, and Articles 54 and 55), or any employee or person who was assigned these positions must not divulge any secret obtained by them in relation to the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc.

(2)With regard to the application of the Penal Code (Act No. 45 of 1907) and other penal provisions, any officer or employee of a registration agency who is engaged in the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. is deemed to be an employee engaged in public service pursuant to laws and regulations.

(Report and On-Site Inspection)

Article 39(1)The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry may request a registration agency to report on its operational and accounting conditions, or have the Minister's officials enter the office of a registration agency to inspect its operational conditions or books and records and other materials, or to put questions to the relevant persons, to the extent necessary to enforce this Act.

(2)Any official must, upon entering a site pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, carry an identification card and present it to the relevant persons.

(3)The authority to conduct an on-site inspection as prescribed in paragraph (1) must not be interpreted as being granted for the purpose of criminal investigation.

(Order for Conformity)

Article 40The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry may, when the Minister finds that a registration agency no longer conforms to any of the items of paragraph (1) of Article 30, order the registration agency to take the necessary measures to conform to such provisions.

(Order for Improvement)

Article 40-2The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry may, when the Minister finds that a registration agency is in violation of the provisions of Article 31, or the Minister finds it necessary for securing the proper administration of the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., order the registration agency to conduct the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. or to take any other necessary measures to improve the method of administration or other operational procedures of the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc.

(Rescission of Agency Registration)

Article 41The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry may, when a registration agency falls under any of the following items, rescind its agency registration or order the discontinuation of the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., in whole or in part, within a set period of time:

(i)when the registration agency has violated the provisions of this Chapter;

(ii)when the registration agency has come to fall under Article 29, item (i) or item (iv);

(iii)when the registration agency has failed to carry out the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. in compliance with the operational rules of the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. approved pursuant to Article 33, paragraph (1);

(iv)when the registration agency has refused the request made pursuant to the provisions of the items of Article 34-2, paragraph (2) without legitimate grounds;

(v)when the registration agency has violated the order issued pursuant to the provisions of Article 33, paragraph (3), Article 37 or the preceding two Articles; and

(vi)when its agency registration was made by wrongful means.

(Book Entry)

Article 42(1)A registration agency must prepare books and state the matters in connection with the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry therein.

(2)The books set forth in the preceding paragraph must be kept in accordance with the provisions of Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(Special Provisions for Hearing Concerning Disposition for a Registration Agency)

Article 43(1)Proceedings conducted on the assigned date of a hearing with respect to a disposition prescribed in the provisions of Article 37 or Article 41 must be open to the public.

(2)The presiding official of the hearing set forth in the preceding paragraph must, upon request of any person interested in the relevant disposition, permit such person to intervene in the procedure of the relevant hearing pursuant to the provisions of Article 17, paragraph (1) of the Administrative Procedure Act.

(Appeal against the Disposition Made by a Registration Agency)

Article 44Any person who is dissatisfied with a disposition or inaction with respect to the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. conducted by a registration agency may request the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to carry out an examination subject to the Administrative Complaint Review Act (Act No. 160 of 1962).

(Affairs of the Registration of Establishment Administered by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry)

Article 45(1)The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry is to, when a registration agency has suspended the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., in whole or in part, with the permission prescribed in the provisions of Article 34, when the Minister has ordered a registration agency to discontinue the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of Article 41, or when the Minister finds it necessary in a case where a registration agency has experienced difficulties and is unable to conduct the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., in whole or in part, due to natural disasters or other reasons, administer himself/herself the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., in whole or in part.

(2)When the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry himself/herself administers the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of preceding paragraph, when a registration agency abolishes the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., in whole or in part, with the permission granted pursuant to Article 34, or when the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry has rescinded an agency registration pursuant to the provisions of Article 41, transfer of the administration of the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. and other necessary matters are specified by Order of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

(Public Notice)

Article 46In any of the following cases, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry must make a public notice of the relevant matters in official gazettes:

(i)when the Minister has made an agency registration;

(ii)when the Minister has been notified pursuant to the provisions of Article 32;

(iii)when the Minister has granted permission as prescribed in Article 34;

(iv)when the Minister has rescinded an agency registration, or has ordered the discontinuance of the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of Article 41; and

(v)when the Minister administers himself/herself the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc., in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, or ceases to administer the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. which the Minister has been carrying out themselves, in whole or in part.

Chapter V Miscellaneous Provisions

(Jurisdiction over Overseas Residents)

Article 47With respect to a t, or any other right relating to a layout design license, of a person who does not have a domicile or residence (or a business office in the case of a juridical person) in Japan, the address of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is deemed to be the location of the property as prescribed in Article 5, item (iv) of the Code of Civil Procedure (Act No. 109 of 1996).

(Request for Issuance and Inspection of a Certified Copy)

Article 48(1)Any person may file a request to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to issue a certified copy or an extract of the layout-design registry, or to allow the inspection or copying of the layout-design registry or a written application set forth in Article 3, paragraph (2) or drawings and other supporting materials attached thereto (excluding documents which the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry considers it necessary to keep confidential).

(2)The provisions of the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs (Act No.42 of 1999) do not apply to the layout-design registry or a written application set forth in Article 3, paragraph (2) or drawings and other supporting materials attached thereto.

(3)The provisions in Chapter IV of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs (Act No. 58 of 2003) do not apply to the personal information possessed by administrative organs (meaning the personal information possessed by administrative organs as prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (3) of the same Act) recorded in the layout-design registry or a written application set forth in Article 3, paragraph (2) or drawings and other supporting materials attached thereto.

(Fees)

Article 49(1)Fees must be paid by the following person to the State in an amount to be provided by Cabinet Order, considering the actual costs, except for cases prescribed in the following paragraph:

(i)a person who intends to file a request for the issuance of a certified copy or an extract of the layout-design registry pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article; and

(ii)a person who intends to file a request for the inspection or copying of the layout-design registry or a written application or drawings and other supporting materials attached thereto pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article.

(2)When a registration agency conducts the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. fees must be paid by the following person to the relevant registration agency in an amount specified by the registration agency with an approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry as prescribed in Cabinet Order:

(i)a person who intends to apply for a registration of establishment;

(ii)a person who intends to apply for a registration pursuant to Article 21, paragraph (1) or paragraph (2);

(iii)a person who intends to file a request for the issuance of a certified copy or an extract of the layout-design registry pursuant to paragraph (1) of the preceding Article; and

(iv)a person who intends to file a request for the inspection or copying of the layout-design registry or a written application or drawings and other supporting materials attached thereto pursuant to paragraph (1) of the preceding Article.

(3)The provisions of the preceding two paragraphs do not apply where the person to pay the fees is the State or an incorporated administrative agency as prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (1) of the Act on General Rules for Incorporated Administrative Agencies (Act No. 103 of 1999) and is specified by Cabinet Order, considering the contents of the business thereof or other circumstances.

(4)Fees paid to a registration agency pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs are the revenue of the registration agency.

Article 50In addition to the matters prescribed in this Act, matters necessary for a registration of establishment and for registration as prescribed in Article 21, paragraphs (1) and (2) are specified by Cabinet Order.

Chapter VI Penal Provisions

Article 51(1)Any person who has infringed a layout design license or an exclusive (layout design) license is punished by imprisonment with work for not more than three years or a fine of not more than 1,000,000 yen.

(2)The crimes set forth in the preceding paragraph may be prosecuted only upon criminal complaint.

Article 52Any person who has obtained a registration of establishment by means of a fraudulent act is punished by imprisonment with work for not more than one year or a fine of not more than 300,000 yen.

Article 53Any person who has violated the provisions of Article 38, paragraph (1) is punished by imprisonment with work for not more than one year or a fine of not more than 300,000 yen.

Article 54In the case of the violation of an order to discontinue the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. issued pursuant to Article 41, an officer or employee of the registration agency who has committed such act of violation is punished by imprisonment with work for not more than one year or a fine of not more than 300,000 yen.

Article 55In any case falling under any of the following items, an officer or employee of the registration agency who has committed such act of violation is punished by a fine of not more than 300,000 yen:

(i)when the registration agency has abolished the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. in whole, without obtaining permission pursuant to Article 34;

(ii)when the registration agency has failed to make a report pursuant to the provisions of Article 39, paragraph (1) or has made a false report, or refused, obstructed or evaded inspection as prescribed in the same paragraph, or has failed to make a statement in reply to a question as prescribed in the same paragraph or has made a false statement; and

(iii)when the registration agency has failed to prepare books or make entries therein or has made false entries therein, in violation of the provisions of Article 42, paragraph (1), or has failed to keep the books, in violation of the provisions of paragraph (2) of the same Article.

Article 56When the representative of a juridical person or an agent, employee or any other worker of a juridical person or an individual has committed a violation set forth in Article 51, paragraph (1) or Article 52, with regard to the business of said juridical person or individual, not only the offender is punished but also said juridical person or individual is sentenced to the fine set forth in the respective Articles

Article 57Any person who has failed to prepare financial statements, etc., failed to state the necessary matters or made false statements in the financial statements, etc., in violation of the provisions of Article 34-2, paragraph (1), or refused the request made pursuant to the provisions of the items of paragraph (2) of the same Article without legitimate grounds is punished by a civil fine of an amount not more than 200,000 yen.

Supplementary Provisions

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding one year from the date of promulgation; provided, however, that the provisions of Articles 28 to 30, Article 32, Article 33, Article 35, Article 36, Articles 38 to 43, Article 46, Article 53 and Article 55 (excluding item (i)) come into effect as of the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding six months from the date of promulgation.

(Transitional Measures)

Article 2Where, within two years prior to the date on which the Act comes into effect, a creator, etc. or a person with authorization therefrom first performed any of the acts listed in Article 2, paragraph (3), item (ii) in relation to a layout-design in the course of trade, and if an application for a registration of establishment for such layout-design is filed for the period until the day on which six months have elapsed since the date on which the Act comes into effect, the provisions of Article 6 do not apply to such registration of establishment.

Article 3The effect of a layout design license does not extend to any acts, performed within two years after the enforcement of this Act, of transferring, leasing, displaying for the purpose of transfer or leasing, or importing semiconductor integrated circuits (including articles incorporating the relevant semiconductor integrated circuits as a part thereof; hereinafter the same applies in the following Article) which exist at the time of the enforcement of this Act.

Article 4The provisions of Article 27, paragraph (1) do not apply to any exploitation of a layout-design performed prior to the enforcement of this Act, as well as to any acts, performed within two years after the enforcement of this Act, of transferring, leasing, displaying for the purpose of transfer or leasing, or importing semiconductor integrated circuits which exist at the time of the enforcement of this Act.

(Partial Amendment of the Bankruptcy Act)

Article 5Part of the Bankruptcy Act (Act No. 71 of 1922) is amended as follows:

In Article 197, item (ii), the term ", layout design license" is added after the term "utility model right."

(Partial Amendment of the Inheritance Tax Act)

Article 6Part of the Inheritance Tax Act (Act No. 73 of 1950) is amended as follows:

In Article 10, paragraph (1), item (viii), the term "these rights" and the term "or trademark right" are amended as the term "these" and the phrase ", trademark right, or layout design license or those registered as exploitation rights thereof," respectively.

(Partial Amendment of the Stamp Tax Act)

Article 7Part of the Stamp Tax Act (Act No. 23 of 1967) is amended as follows:

In the "Definition" row of Appended Table 1, item (i), the term ", layout design license" is added after the term "design right."

(Partial Amendment of the Registration and License Tax Ac)

Article 8Part of the Registration and License Tax Act (Act No.35 of 1967) is amended as follows:

In Article 11, paragraph (1), the term ", layout design license" is added after the term "trademark right."

The following item is added after Appended Table 1, item (xiv):

xiv-2 registration of a layout design license (including registration of trust of a layout design license
1. registration of the establishment of a layout design license	number of cases of a layout design license	18,000 yen per case
2. registration of transfer of a ayout design license
i. registration of transfer due to inheritance or merger of juridical persons	number of cases of a layout design license	3,000 yen per case
ii. registration of transfer for other reasons	number of cases of a layout design license	9,000 yen per case
3. registration of the establishment of an exclusive (layout design) license or a non-exclusive (layout design) license	number of cases of an exclusive (layout design) license or a non-exclusive (layout design) licenset	9,000 yen per case
4. registration for creating a pledge on a layout design license, an exclusive (layout design) license or a non-exclusive (layout design) license, or registration of restriction of a disposition on a layout design license, an exclusive (layout design) license, a non-exclusive (layout design) license or the relevant pledge	the amount of claims	four thousandths (4/1000)
5. registration of the transfer of an exclusive (layout design) license or a non-exclusive (layout design) license, or registration of a transfer of pledge on these rights or on a layout design license
i. registration of transfer due to inheritance or merger of juridical persons	number of cases of a layout design license, exclusive (layout design) license or non-exclusive (layout design) license (hereinafter referred to as a "layout design license, etc.") in this item)	1,500 yen per case
ii. registration of transfer due to other reasons	number of cases of a layout design license, etc.	3,000 yen per case
6. registration of trust	number of cases of a layout design license, etc.	3,000 yen per case
7. registration of supplemental registration, provisional registration, restoration of cancelled registration, or registration of correction or change of registration (excluding those under 1. to 6.)	number of cases of a layout design license, etc.	1,000 yen per case
8. cancellation of registration	number of cases of a layout design licenset, etc.	1,000 yen per case

(Partial Amendment of the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry)

Article 9Part of the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Act No. 275 of 1952) is amended as follows:

The following item is added after Article 5, item (xxx):

(xxx)-2to register a layout design license and other rights related to a layout design license

Supplementary Provisions[Act No. 89 of November 12, 1993][Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the date of the enforcement of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993).

(Transitional Measures Concerning Adverse Dispositions Following Consultation)

Article 2Where, prior to the enforcement of this Act, a consultation or other request has been made under laws and regulations to a council or any other panel to require that the procedures to hold hearings or grant the opportunity for explanation as prescribed in Article 13 of the Administrative Procedure Act and other procedures equivalent to the procedures to hear statements of opinions should be implemented, with respect to the procedures for making adverse dispositions pertaining to the relevant consultation or request, the provisions then in force remain applicable notwithstanding the provisions of relevant Acts amended by this Act.

(Transitional Measures Concerning Penal Provisions)

Article 13With regard to the application of penal provisions to acts committed prior to the enforcement of this Act, the provisions then in force remain applicable.

(Transitional Measures upon Arrangement of Provisions on Hearing)

Article 14Hearings or hearing meetings (excluding those concerning adverse dispositions) implemented pursuant to the provisions of Acts prior to the enforcement of this Act, or procedures thereof are deemed to have been implemented pursuant to the relevant provisions of the respective Acts amended by this Act.

(Delegation to Cabinet Order)

Article 15In addition to the matters prescribed in Article 2 to the preceding Article of the Supplementary Provisions, the transitional measures necessary for the enforcement of this Act are specified by Cabinet Order.

Supplementary Provisions[Act No. 91 of May 12, 1995][Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the day on which twenty days have elapsed from the date of promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions[Act No. 110 of June 26, 1996][Extract]

This Act comes into effect as of the date of the enforcement of the new Code of Civil Procedure.

Supplementary Provisions[Act No. 43 of May 14, 1999][Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the date of the enforcement of the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs (Act No. 42 of 1999; hereinafter referred to as the "Information Disclosure Act").

Supplementary Provisions[Act No. 160 of December 22, 1999][Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act (excluding Article 2 and Article 3) comes into effect as of January 6, 2001.

Supplementary Provisions[Act No. 220 of December 22, 1999][Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act (excluding Article 1) comes into effect as of January 6, 2001.

(Delegation to Cabinet Order)

Article 4In addition to the matters prescribed in the preceding two Articles, matters necessary for the enforcement of this Act are specified by Cabinet Order.

Supplementary Provisions[Act No. 152 of December 13, 2002][Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the date of the enforcement of the Act on Use of Information and Communications Technology in Administrative Procedure (Act No. 151 of 2002).

(Transitional Measures Concerning Penal Provisions)

Article 4With regard to the application of penal provisions to acts committed prior to the enforcement of this Act, the provisions then in force remain applicable.

(Delegation of Other Transitional Measures to Cabinet Order)

Article 5In addition to the matters prescribed in the preceding three Articles, the transitional measures necessary for the enforcement of this Act are specified by Cabinet Order.

Supplementary Provisions[Act No. 61 of May 30, 2003][Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the date of the enforcement of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs.

(Delegation of Other Transitional Measures to Cabinet Order)

Article 4In addition to the matters prescribed in the preceding two Articles, the transitional measures necessary for the enforcement of this Act are specified by Cabinet Order.

Supplementary Provisions[Act No. 76 of June 11, 2003][Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of March 1, 2004; provided, however, that the provisions listed in the following items come into effect as of the dates specified in the respective items:

(i)the provision of Article 13 of the Supplementary Provisions:the date of promulgation; and

(ii)the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (1), Article 4, paragraph (1), Article 5, paragraph (1), Article 6, paragraph (1), Article 7, paragraph (1), Article 8, paragraph (1) and Article 9, paragraph (1) of the Supplementary Provisions:October 1, 2003.

(Transitional Measures upon Partial Amendment of the Act on the Circuit Layout of a Semiconductor Integrated Circuits)

Article 3(1)A person who intends to apply for a registration as prescribed in Article 28, paragraph (1) of the Act on Layout-Design of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits amended by the provisions of Article 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "New Act on Layout-Design on Semiconductor Integrated Circuits") may file an application for such registration prior to the enforcement of this Act. The same applies to an application for approval for the operational rules for the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. as prescribed in Article 33, paragraph (1) of the New Act on Layout-Design of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits.

(2)A person who has been designated, at the time of the enforcement of this Act, pursuant to Article 28, paragraph (1) of the Act on Layout-Design of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits prior to the amendment by the provisions of Article 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "Former Act on Layout-Design of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits") is deemed, until the day on which six months have elapsed from the date on which the Act comes into effect, to have been registered pursuant to Article 28, paragraph (1) of the New Act on Layout-Design of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits. The same applies until a disposition is made with respect to an application for registration under paragraph (2) of the same Article filed by such person during that period.

(3)Any person who has been dismissed, prior to the enforcement of this Act, as an officer of a designated registration agency as prescribed in Article 28, paragraph (1) of the Former Act on Layout-Design of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits or as a person who implements the affairs of the registration of establishment, etc. as prescribed in Article 31, paragraph (2) of the Former Act on Layout-Design of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits, subject to the order under Article 37 of the Former Act on Layout-Design of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits, and for whom two years have not yet elapsed since the date of such dismissal, or any juridical person such person is supposed to carry out business on behalf thereof as an officer, is deemed, with regard to the application of the provisions of Article 29 and Article 41 of the New Act on Layout-Design of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits, to fall under Article 29, item (ii) or item (iv) of the New Act on Layout-Design of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits.

(4)The obligation of confidentiality, with respect to information obtained in the course of carrying out the registration affairs imposed on an officer or employee of a designated registration agency as prescribed in Article 28, paragraph (1) of the Former Act on Layout-Design of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits who was engaged in the registration affairs prescribed in the same paragraph, the provisions then in force remain applicable even after the enforcement of this Act.

(5)With regard to a request for an examination subject to the Administrative Complaint Review Act (Act No. 160 of 1962), with respect to a disposition or inaction pertaining to the registration affairs conducted by a designated registration agency pursuant to the provisions of the Former Act on Layout-Design of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits, the provisions then in force remain applicable.

(Effect of Disposition)

Article 11Dispositions imposed, procedures taken or other acts committed pursuant to the provisions of respective Acts prior to the amendment (including orders based thereon; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) prior to the enforcement of this Act (with respect to the provisions listed in the items of Article 1 of the Supplementary Provisions, the relevant provisions), for which the corresponding provisions exist in the respective Acts after the amendment, are deemed to have been imposed, taken or committed pursuant to the corresponding provisions of the respective Acts after the amendment, except as otherwise provided by the Supplementary Provisions.

(Transitional Measures concerning Application of Penal Provisions)

Article 12The application of penal provisions to acts committed prior to the enforcement of this Act (with respect to the provisions listed in the items of Article 1 of the Supplementary Provisions, the relevant provisions; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) and acts committed after the enforcement of this Act in the case where the provisions then in force remain applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Supplementary Provisions, continues to be governed by the provisions then in force.

(Delegation to Cabinet Order)

Article 13In addition to the matters prescribed in Article 2 to the preceding Article of the Supplementary Provisions, the transitional measures necessary for the enforcement of this Act (including transitional measures for penal provisions) are specified by Cabinet Order.

Supplementary Provisions[Act No. 147 of December 1, 2004][Extract]

(Effective Date)

Article 1This Act comes into effect as of the day specified by Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding six months from the date of promulgation.

Supplementary Provisions[Act No. 87 of July 26, 2005][Extract]

This Act comes into effect as of the date of the enforcement of the Companies Act.

Supplementary Provisions[Act No. 50 of June 2, 2006][Extract]

(Effective Date)

(1)This Act comes into effect as of the date of the enforcement of the General Incorporated Associations/Foundations Act.

(Adjustment Provisions)

(2)Where the date of the enforcement of the Act for Partial Amendment of the Penal Code, etc. to Respond to Increase in International and Organized Crimes and Advancement of Information Processing (Act No.[ ] of 2006) comes after the date of the enforcement, with regard to the application of the provisions of item (lxii) of the Appended Table of the Act on Punishment of Organized Crimes and Control of Crime Proceeds (Act No. 136 of 1999; hereinafter referred to as the "Organized Crime Punishment Act" in the following paragraph) for the period from the date of the enforcement until the day preceding the date of the enforcement of the Act for Partial Amendment of the Penal Code, etc. to Respond to Increase in International and Organized Crimes and Advancement of Information Processing, the term "crime under Article 157 of the Intermediate Corporation Act (Act No. 49 of 2001) (Special Breach of Trust by Directors, etc.)" in item (lxii) is deemed to be replaced with "crime under Article 334 of the Act on General Incorporated Associations and General Incorporated Foundations (Act No. 48 of 2006) (Special Breach of Trust by Directors, etc.)."

(3)Beyond what is prescribed in the preceding paragraph, in the case set forth in the same paragraph, with regard to the application of the provisions of the Organized Crime Punishment Act until the day preceding the date of the enforcement of the Act for Partial Amendment of the Penal Code, etc. to Respond to an Increase in International and Organized Crimes and Advancement of Information Processing, the crime under Article 157 of the Former Intermediate Corporation Act (Special Breach of Trust by Directors, etc.) in the cases where the provisions then in force remain applicable pursuant to the provisions of Article 457 is deemed to be the crime listed in item (lxii) of the Appended Table of the Organized Crime Punishment Act.