d) oversee the production of IPI publications and microfilming and reprography, as well as to
promote the publication of the Industrial Property Bulletin, including subscriptions to journals;
e) manage public relations for the IPI and the provision of information to users;
f) keep uptodate information on the new information technologies and propose the acquisition
of information technology (IT) equipment and products;
g) promote the development and improvement of software and other suitable IT applications in
the fields in which the IPI works, in particular with regard to bibliographical information and
the management of processes relating to patents, marks, registrations and deposits;
h) oversee the maintenance of the IPI’s IT equipment, in accordance with the applicable
technical standards;
i) carry out the security, verification and maintenance procedures necessary for the smooth
running of existing applications and ensure the correction of anomalies or breakdowns;
j) support users and manage the distribution of the IPI’s resources and IT network in
accordance with the needs of the services;
k) promote participation in national and international information networks with a view to setting
up and using document databases in the sphere of industrial property.
Subsection IV
Research Department
Article 17
Competences
The Research Department shall provide advisory services to the directors and bodies of the IPI in
the exercise of their competences and the fulfillment of their goals and duties, in particular in the
sphere of industrial property development policy and planning. In order to carry out these
activities, it shall be empowered to do as follows:
a) provide advice to the directors and bodies of the IPI on the performance of their duties and
the fulfillment of their goals and functions;
b) submit proposals leading to the definition of industrial property management policies;
c) propose investment priorities in line with the development strategies defined;
d) study and propose regulations concerning the functioning of the IPI;
e) propose the creation of special funds to ensure the development of industrial property;
f) prepare reports and work plans;
g) prepare regular audit reports on the activities of the IPI and evaluate progress made
concerning the work planned.