c) perform acts relating to the granting, refusal, maintenance, alteration and extension of
registrations of distinctive commercial signs and record them in the files;
d) prepare affidavits, certificates and deeds, and other documents proving registration;
e) with the international secretariat provided for under the Madrid Agreement, maintain the
circulation of information and documentation required for the international protection of marks
and appellations of origin;
f) propose actions to prevent or punish unfair competition or counterfeiting in relation to
distinctive commercial signs, draft opinions and reports, and provide any information
necessary;
g) oversee the receipt, deposit and registration of patent applications;
h) classify documents relating to patents and utility models in accordance with the international
patent classification and documents relating to industrial designs, in accordance with the
classifications applicable;
i) oversee the granting and management of rights to patents and deposits through the
preparation of the relevant title deeds and the processing of the entries resulting from the
acts maintaining, altering or canceling them;
j) prepare affidavits, certificates and other documents requested in relation to patents and
deposits, with the exception of search certificates;
k) prepare information intended for publication in the Industrial Property Bulletin;
l) conduct a technical examination of applications for the registration of marks and patents in
order to verify eligibility for registration and patenting;
m) organize and keep uptodate the information systems on prior art searches in relation to
applications for the registration of marks and conduct searches concerning the handling of
the respective procedures;
n) process searches for conflicting prior registrations and prepare search certificates;
o) examine, monitor and supervise the international phase of patent applications and separate
international patents deposited in accordance with the Patent Cooperation Treaty;
p) study technical proposals for projects, agreements and treaties on patents and marks.
Subsection 11
Central Services Directorate of Organization and Management
Article 15
Competences
The Central Services Directorate of Organization and Management shall promote the study and
adoption of measures to improve the functioning of the IPI with the aim of ensuring the
management, organization and administration of human and financial resources and property. It
shall also be responsible for the following: