A mask for manufacturing integrated circuits and use of the mask. The mask
has a mask substrate. The mask also has an active mask region within a
first portion of the mask substrate. The active region is adapted to
accumulate a pre-determined level of static electricity. The mask also
has a first guard ring structure surrounding a portion of the active mask
region to isolate the active region from an outer region of the mask
substrate and a second guard ring structure having at least one fuse
structure surrounding a portion of the first guard ring structure. The
fuse structure is operably coupled to the active region to absorb a
current from static electricity. The static electricity is accumulated by
the active region to the pre-determined level and being discharged as
current to the fuse structure while maintaining the active region free
from damage from the static electricity.