6105
Government Gazette 25 August 2016
Act No. 8, 2016
5
BUSINESS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
AUTHORITY ACT, 2016
PART 2
BUSINESS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AUTHORITY
Establishment of BIPA
3.
(1)
There is established a juristic person to be known as the
Business and Intellectual Property Authority.
(2)
BIPA -
(a)
is the focal point for the registration of business and industrial property,
and is responsible for the administration and protection of business and
intellectual property; and
(b)
must exercise and perform its powers and functions in an efficient and
effective manner.
Establishment of Registration Office
4.
The Board must, within BIPA, establish a Registration Office where
business and industrial property are registered in accordance with this Act and the
applicable legislation.
Functions and powers of BIPA
5.
(1)
(a)
regulate and administer the registration of business and industrial
property under the applicable legislation;
(b)
consolidate various offices involved in the registration and administration
of business and intellectual property in a manner provided for in this
Act;
(c)
register information, documents and data required to be lodged with,
and maintained by, BIPA under the applicable legislation and to be
responsible for the examination, safety and orderly custody of the
information, documents and data;
(d)
implement, promote and continuously enhance, advance electronic
business and intellectual property information and transaction systems;
(e)
maintain accurate, current and relevant information concerning business
and intellectual property;
(f)
promote, expedite and simplify the flow of information between BIPA
and the business community, users of business and intellectual property,
general public, regulatory authorities and institutions of the State;
(g)
collect such fees and rates under this Act or the applicable legislation;
(h)
promote education and awareness of laws relating to business and
intellectual property and related matters;
The functions of BIPA are to -