What Is A Layout-Design Of An Integrated Circuit?

A layout-design of an integrated circuit is the three-dimensional disposition of the elements of an integrated circuit and some or all of the interconnections of the integrated circuit or such three-dimensional disposition prepared for an integrated circuit intended for manufacture.
The law that protects layout-designs of  integrated circuits is the Layout-designs of Integrated Circuits Act 2000
 
How Is Layout-Design Protected?
A layout-design is eligible for protection automatically upon fulfillment of the following conditions. It is original, i.e. the result of its creator's own intellectual effort and not commonplace among creators and manufacturers of integrated circuit;
It has been fixed in a material form or incorporated into an integrated circuit;
The right holder of the layout-design is an qualified person.
 
Who Is The Right Holder Of Layout-Design?
The creator;
The person who commission if the layout-design is created in pursuance of a commission;
The employer if the layout-design is created by an employee in the course of his employment.
 
What Are The Rights Of A Right Holder?
A right holder of a protected layout-design has the following rights;
Reproduce and to authorize the reproduction of his protected layout-design;
To commercially exploit and to authorize the commercial exploitation of:
His protected layout-design; 
An integrated circuit in which the layout-design is incorporated; or 
An article that contains an integrated circuit in which the layout-design is incorporated.