§909 — Title 17 Copyrights | U.S. Code

Summary

An owner of a protected mask work may put a notice on the mask work itself and on masks or semiconductor chips that include it. The Register of Copyrights will give example rules on how and where to place the notice, but those examples are not the only allowed ways. Putting the notice is not required for protection but counts as basic proof that the owner gave notice. The notice must show either the words “mask work”, the symbol *M* or the circle M Ⓜ, and the owner’s name or a commonly used abbreviation.

Title 17, §909

Copyrights — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The owner of a mask work provided protection under this chapter may affix notice to the mask work, and to masks and semiconductor chip products embodying the mask work, in such manner and location as to give reasonable notice of such protection. The Register of Copyrights shall prescribe by regulation, as examples, specific methods of affixation and positions of notice for purposes of this section, but these specifications shall not be considered exhaustive. The affixation of such notice is not a condition of protection under this chapter, but shall constitute prima facie evidence of notice of protection.

(b)The notice referred to in subsection (a) shall consist of—

(1)the words “mask work”, the symbol *M*, or the symbol Ⓜ (the letter M in a circle); and

(2)the name of the owner or owners of the mask work or an abbreviation by which the name is recognized or is generally known.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1997—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 105–80 substituted “ ‘mask work’, the symbol” for “ ‘mask force’, the sumbol”.

§909 Mask Work Notice

Summary

Title 17, §909

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Citations & Metadata