Watermarking Based Intellectual Property Protectio

BACKGROUND: In the past in the semiconductor industry, circuit designers and process engineers worked together at the same company. However, companies are now specializing in either design or processing. As a result, systems are being built from pre-designed, or virtual components (VCs). Reuse of VCs saves time and money by implementing proven functions into new designs and, when licensed legitimately, is beneficial to both the licensee and the designer. However, billions of dollars are lost each year by the unauthorized use of VCs. As a result, VC designers need a way to protect and verify the use of their designs.

DESCRIPTION: Scientists at the University of California have developed a new "digital watermarking" method for VC providers to prove ownership of their designs. Unlike conventional methods that add data to the product to identify it, this new technology provides a means of uniquely marking virtual components without adding anything to the design.

APPLICATIONS: This new invention has applications in the semiconductor design industry.

ADVANTAGES: The new UC technology provides the following benefits:

* Marking system is readable in both a soft configuration at a logical level and at a soft physical level;
* Does not affect device performance or delay design cycle or production;
* Simplifies the documentation process.

REFERENCE: 1999-259

Patents:
US 7,017,043   [MORE INFO]

Type of Offer: Licensing



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