4.
(3)
The Minister may give such directions of a general character, not inconsistent with
this Act, to the Controller for the proper discharge of his functions under the
industrial property enactments and for the implementation of such policies as may
be determined.
(4)
There shall be posted to the Office such officers as may be necessary for the
proper discharge of the functions and duties of the office.
(5)
The officers posted to the Office shall be public officers and shall be under the
direct administrative control of the Controller.
(6)
The Controller may, subject to the approval of the Minister, appoint, on an ad-hoc
basis, such assessors and technical experts on such terms and conditions, as he may
consider necessary.
(7)
The Controller may, in the discharge of his duties under the industrial property
enactments, issue administrative procedures.
Functions of the Controller
(1)
The Controller shall (a)
upon an application under any of the industrial property enactments (i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(b)
(c)
(2)
5.
grant a filing date in respect of such application;
examine such application;
grant the patent, wherever applicable; and
register any mark, industrial design, geographical indication or Layout
Designs, as the case may be;
either on his own initiative or upon a complaint made, investigate any
allegation of an offence under any of the industrial property enactments; and
ensure that the policies and procedures of the office comply with any
relevant international standards and guidelines concerning industrial
property.
Where the Controller has concluded an investigation under subsection 1(b), he shall
refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions for any appropriate action.
Powers of the Controller
(1)
The Controller shall have such powers as may be necessary to carry out the
functions of the Office under, and in order to enforce, any of the industrial
property enactments, and in particular to (a)
require any person whose affairs are being investigated to answer any
question or otherwise furnish any information or produce such document as may
be relevant to the investigation;
(b)
require any public officer to furnish information or produce any document in
his custody;