Patent attributes
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first conduction-type semiconductor region, a second conduction-type first impurity region, and a guard ring formed using a first conduction-type second impurity region so as to form a protection device of an electrostatic protection circuit. The first impurity region is formed inside the semiconductor region to have a rectangular planar structure with long and short sides. The guard ring is formed inside the semiconductor region to surround the periphery of the first impurity region. A weak spot is formed on the short side of the rectangular planar structure of the first impurity region. A plurality of electrical contacts are formed in a first portion of the guard ring which faces the long side of the rectangle. A plurality of electrical contracts are not formed in a second portion of the guard ring which faces the weak spot formed on the short side of the rectangle.