The present invention provides a process for using an amine contamination-protecting top-coating composition. Preferably, the amine contamination-protecting top-coating composition of the present invention comprises an amine contamination-protecting compound. Useful amine contamination-protecting compounds include amine derivatives; amino acid derivatives; amide derivatives; urethane derivatives; urea derivatives; salts thereof; and mixtures thereof. The amine contamination-protecting top-coating composition of the present invention reduces or eliminates problems such as T-topping due to a post exposure delay effect and/or difficulties in forming a fine pattern below 100 nm due to acid diffusion associated with conventional lithography processes involving a photoresist polymer containing an alicyclic main chain using a light source, such as KrF (248 nm), ArF (193 nm), F2 (157 nm), E-beam, ion beam and extremely ultraviolet (EUV).