June 29, 2000

Taipei - - Following a request from the US government, Taiwans Intellectual Property Office told Taiwan chipmakers to enforce a mask ROM chip marking system. All mask ROM chips must be stamped with identification numbers, enabling government agencies and intellectual property owners to trace fake products.

Around 60 Taiwan chip factories are affected by the new ruling. The US had previously requested that the ruling should also cover microprocessors, but Taiwan government officials refused because this would bother too many companies.