Patents Ordinance, 2000 — section 4

4. Patent Office..—(1) For the purposes of this Ordinance, there shall be established a Patent Office: Provided that until such time the Patent Office is established, the Patent Office established under the Patents and Designs Act, 1911, (Act II of 1911) shall be the Patent office for the purposes of this Ordinance.

(2)The Patent office shall be under the immediate control of the Controller who shall act under the superintendence and direction of the Federal Government.

(3)The Patent Office shall be entrusted with all the functions relating to the procedure for the grant of patents and for the administration of granted patents as specified in this Ordinance and rules.

(4)There shall be a seal of the Patent Office and impression of the seal shall be judicially noticed. 5. Officers and employees incapable of an interest in a patent. Any officer or a person employed in the Patent Office shall be incapable during the period of his appointment and for one year thereafter of applying for a patent or of acquiring, directly or indirectly, except by inheritance or bequest, any patent issued or to be issued by the Patent Office. 6. Officers and employees not to divulge certain information or advise in certain matters. An officer or a person employed in the Patent Office shall not, except when required or authorized by this Ordinance or under a direction in writing of the Controller or by order of the Court:

(a)divulge any information available to him by virtue of his office in respect of any application for a patent or a patent granted in Pakistan; or

(b)advise in a matter which is under consideration or is likely to come under consideration of the Patent Office in pursuance of this Ordinance. CHAPTER III PATENTABILITY