Chip layouts are typically covered by a separate copyright-like regime with different rules (most notably a much shorter period of exclusivity) [1]. I believe t

Chip layouts are typically covered by a separate copyright-like regime with different rules (most notably a much shorter period of exclusivity) [1]. I believe the original NMOS 6502 and the derived Nintendo/Ricoh 2A03 both predate these laws, so Ricoh only had to worry about patent infringement. That being said, many chips also contain code (e.g. firmware, microcode) that is potentially eligible for copyright independently of the chip layout. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_circuit_layout_design_protection https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_circuit_layout_desi...