6
Government Gazette 25 August 2016
Act No. 8, 2016
6105
BUSINESS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
AUTHORITY ACT, 2016
(i)
advise the Minister, public sector and private sector on matters
pertaining to business and intellectual property falling within the scope
of BIPA;
(j)
recommend to the Minister or any other minister or institutions of the
State on matters relating to the amendment or making of any law in
order to promote the efficient operation of business and intellectual
property;
(k)
perform any functions imposed on it by or under this Act, applicable
legislation or necessary to achieve the objects of this Act and monitor
compliance with this Act and the applicable legislation; and
(l)
observe and adhere to the principles of good corporate governance and
to oversee the implementation of such principles of good corporate
governance by BIPA.
(2)
BIPA may -
(a)
organise outreach and awareness creation programmes to inform,
educate and sensitise the public on matters relating to business and
intellectual property;
(b)
having regard to the regional and international developments in the
field of business and intellectual property, interact with the regional and
international bodies having similar objects;
(c)
consult with a person, organisation or institution with regard to a matter
relating to business and intellectual property and may -
(d)
(i)
liaise with a regulatory authority on matters of common interest
and exchange information with, and receive information from,
any such regulatory authority pertaining to matters of common
interest or a specific complaint or investigation; or
(ii)
advise or receive advice from a regulatory authority; or
liaise with, and obtain membership of, international and regional
business and intellectual property bodies having similar objects to that
of BIPA and promote compliance with international or regional agreed
instrument of which Namibia is a member.
(3)
In order to promote the enforcement of, and compliance with, this Act
and the applicable legislation, BIPA may (a)
if requested by the parties to a dispute on any matter relating to this Act
or the applicable legislation, facilitate voluntary resolution of disputes
between the parties without intervening or adjudicating the disputes;
(b)
receive or initiate complaints concerning alleged contraventions or
non-compliances with this Act or the applicable legislation, evaluate
such complaints and investigate such complaints;