The third final provision of Law 11/1988, of 3 May, for the legal protection of topographies of semiconductor products, authorizes the Government to amend Article 3.3 thereof, in order to extend the right of the to the protection of persons originating in third countries or territories which do not belong to the European Community and who do not benefit from protection, where this is established by the bodies of the European Communities.

Royal Decree No 2162/1994 of 4 November 1994 amending Article 2.1 of Royal Decree 2068/1993 of 26 November 1993 extending, on a provisional basis, the legal protection of the topographies of the (a) to the United States of America only until 1 July 1995, the United States of America has extended this protection to persons originating in the United States of America and certain territories.

The Council of the European Union has adopted Decision 95 /237/EC of 29 June 1995, for which, according to Article 2, the legal protection of topographies of semiconductor products is extended until 1 January 1996. to the people of the United States of America.

Taking into account Decision 95 /237/EC, adopted by the Council of the European Union, the legal protection of topographies of semiconductor products to persons originating in the European Union should be extended to the date indicated. United States of America.

Provisional protection periods are extended by Decisions of the Council of Ministers of the European Union, with new decisions to be taken with this objective. In the light of this situation, the final provision of Royal Decree No 2162/1994 of 4 November 1994 (Official Gazette of the State of 29), of a provisional extension, of the legal protection of topographies of semiconductor products to persons originating in the United States of America and certain territories, entitles the Minister for Industry and Energy to extend, in the light of the decisions which may be taken by the Council of Ministers of the European Union, the legal protection of topographies of semiconductor products, as referred to in the Article 2.1 of Royal Decree 2068/1993 of 26 November 1993, until later than the date laid down in that provision. This rating covers the territory of the United States covered by this Order.

By virtue of the above, I have:

First. -As of January 1, 1996, the right to legal protection is extended to natural or legal persons who are nationals or have their habitual residence in the United States of America.

FINAL DISPOSITION

This Order shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Gazette of the State.

What I communicate to V. I. for its knowledge and effects.

Madrid, 2 November 1995.

EGUIAGARAY UCELAY

Ilmo. Mr. Director of the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office.