asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the plans, if any, he has to review the operations and role of the Patents Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Patents Office.
22.
The role of the Patents Office is prescribed in section 77 of the Patents Act, 1964. It is established for the grant of patents and for the registration of trade marks and designs in accordance with the legal procedures governing these matters laid down in the patents, designs and trade marks legislation. I have decided in principle to provide, at a future date, for the possibility of registration of marks relating to services, as opposed to marks relating to goods. This would be a new area of activity for the office and will call for amending legislation.
The operations of the Patents Office are largely dictated by the detailed legislative procedures governing the examination and registration of patents, designs and trade marks. Consideration is being given to the question of computerisation of the office; procedures and practices are under constant review.