Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan Act, 2012

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THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION OF 
PAKISTAN ACT, 2012 
 
 
 
   
CONTENTS 
 
1.  Short title, extent and commencement 
2.  Definitions 
3.  Establishment of the Organization 
4.  Policy Board 
5.  Powers of the Federal Government 
6.  Functions etc, of the Board 
7.  Delegation of power 
8.  Meetings of the Board 
9.  Chairman 
10.  Privileges and perquisites of the Members 
11.  Functions and powers of the Chairman 
12.  Director General 
13.  Powers and functions of the Organization 
14.  Intellectual property rights advocacy 
15.  Trial of offences 
16.  Establishment of Intellectual Property Tribunals 
17.  Powers of the Tribunals 
18.  Jurisdiction of the Tribunals 
19.  Appeals from Court 
20.  Authentication of orders and other instruments of the Organization 
21.  Prohibition of use of certain names, marks, seals, etc 
22.  Exercise of powers of the Organization by other bodies 
 

 
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23.  Certain matters to be kept confidential 
24.  Appointment of officers, etc., by the Organization 
25.  Members and officers, etc., to be public servants 
26.  Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan Fund 
27.  Budget 
28.  Audit and Accounts 
29.  Power to amend the Schedule 
30.  Submission of yearly reports and returns 
31.  Protection of action taken under the Act 
32.  Exemption from any provision of this Act 
33.  Policy directives 
34.  Power to make rules 
35.  Power to make regulations 
36.  Integration of the Trade Marks Registry, Copyright Office and Patent Office 
37.  Authorities to assist and aid the Organization 
38.  Removal of difficulties 
39.  Act to override other lawsd 
THE SCHEDULE. 
 
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THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION OF PAKISTAN ACT, 
2012 
 
ACT NO. XXII OF 2012 
[6th Dec, 2012] 
An Act to provide for the establishment of Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan 
WHEREAS Intellectual Property Rights including copyrights, trade-marks, patents, designs, 
lay-out, designs of integrated circuits, trade secrets and other intellectual property laws; supported by 
other laws are powerful tools for economic growth. The protection of these and similar intellectual 
property rights of the citizens is essential to foster creative thinking, stimulate creativity, provide 
incentives for technological innovations, and attract investment; 
AND WHEREAS it is expedient to establish the Intellectual Property Organization of 
Pakistan to provide for the institutional arrangement in the state setup for taking up exclusively and 
comprehensively all subjects and matters relating to intellectual property rights in an integrated 
manner and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto; 
It is hereby enacted as follows— 
1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Intellectual 
Property Organization of Pakistan Act, 2012. 
(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan. 
(3) It shall come into force with effect from the 28th August, 2012 except the provisions of 
section 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 which shall come into force on such date as the Federal Government 
may, by notification in the official Gazette, appoint. 
2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,— 
(a) “Board” means the Policy Board constituted under Section 4; 
(b) “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Organization appointed under Section 
9; 
(c) “Code” means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898) or Code 
of Civil Procedure (Act V of 1908), as the case may be; 
(d) “Director General” means the Director-General appointed under Section 12; 
(e)  “employee” means any officer or staff of the Organization excluding a person 
hired on daily wages or contingent basis; 
(f) “Fund” means the fund established under Section 26; 
 
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(g) “Intellectual Property” includes a trademark, patent, industrial design, layout-
design (topographies) of integrated circuits, copyright and related rights and 
all other ancillary rights; 
(h) “Intellectual Property Laws” means the laws specified in the Schedule; 
(i) “Member” means a member of the Board; 
(j) “offence” means an offence as defined in Intellectual Property Laws; 
(k) “Organization” means the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan 
established under Section 3; 
(l) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules; 
(m) “rules” means the rules made under this Act; 
(n) “regulations” means the regulations made under this Act; 
(o)  “Secretary” means the Director-General of the Organization; 
(p)  “Schedule” means the schedules to this Act; and 
(q) “Tribunal” means an Intellectual Property Tribunal established under Section 
16. 
3. Establishment of the Organization.—(1) There shall be established an Organization to be 
known as Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
(2) The Organization shall be an autonomous body having perpetual succession and a 
common seal with powers, subject to the provisions of this Act, to hold and dispose of property both 
movable and immovable and shall by the said name sue and be sued and may enter into contracts, 
acquire, purchase, take, hold, enjoy, covey, assign, surrender, yield up charge, mortgage, demise, 
reassign, transfer or otherwise dispose of or deal with, any movable or immovable property of every 
description or any interest vested in it, upon such terms as it deems fit. 
(3) The head office of the Organization shall be in Islamabad. The Organization may 
establish and close down offices, with approval of the Board, at such places in Pakistan, as it 
considers appropriate. 
4. Policy Board.—(1) The Federal Government shall, by notification in the official Gazette, 
constitute a Policy Board of the Organization consisting of the Chairman and fourteen other 
Members as specified in sub-section (2). 
(2) The Board shall consist of the following, namely:- 
(a)  five Member from the public sector who shall be the,— 
 (i) Secretary to the Government of Pakistan, Cabinet Division, ex-officio; 
 
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 (ii)  Secretary to the Government of Pakistan, Interior Division, ex-officio; 
 (iii)  Secretary to the Government of Pakistan, Commerce Division, ex 
officio; 
(iv)  Secretary to the Government of Pakistan, Information and 
Broadcasting Division, ex-officio; and 
 (v)  Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue, ex-officio; 
(b)  five Members to be appointed by the Federal Government from private sector; 
and 
(c)  four Members from the provinces, as recommended by the Provincial 
Governments to be appointed by the Federal Government. Eligibility criteria 
of these Members shall be specified by the Federal Government, by 
notification in official Gazette, in consultation with the Chairman. 
(3) The Chairman shall be the Chairman of the Board. 
(4) The Director-General shall also act as Secretary of the Board. 
(5) If any Member specified in clause (a) of sub-section (2) is absent or is unable to attend a 
meeting of the Board, he may authorize an officer, not below the rank an officer of BPS-20 of his 
Division. 
(6) The Chairman shall, in the event of a tie, have a casting vote. 
(7) The Members from private sector shall be appointed by the Federal Government for a 
term of three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for a second term of three years. 
(8) In case of death, resignation or removal of a Member another person may be appointed as 
a Member for the term specified at sub-section (7). 
(9) No person shall be appointed or continued as a Member if he,— 
(a)  has been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude; or 
(b) has been or is adjudged insolvent; 
(c)  is incapable of discharging his duties by reason of physical, psychological or 
mental unfitness and has been declared so by a registered medical practitioner 
appointed by the Federal Government; and 
(d)  deemed incapable of carrying out his responsibilities for any other reason. 
5. Powers of the Federal Government.—Notwithstanding anything contained in this section 
the Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, increase or decrease the number 
of Members of the Board and issue directions to the Organization. 
 
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6. Functions etc., of the Board.—(1) The Board shall be responsible for setting of objectives 
and policy guidelines of the Organization. 
(2) Subject to the provisions of the Act, in particular and without prejudice to the generality 
of sub-section (1), the Board shall,— 
(a) take policy decisions as well as advise the Federal Government on all matters 
relating to— 
 (i)  developing processes, service structure and propose rules for the 
services specifically designed to ensure protection of intellectual 
property laws in Pakistan; 
 (ii) ensuring implementation of intellectual property rights in Pakistan in 
coordination with concerned agencies; and 
 (iii)  expressing its opinion in writing on any policy matter referred to it by 
the Federal Government or the Organization; 
(b)  consider and approve policies, plans and programmes of the Organization; 
(c)  consider and approve, with or without modification, any regulations, with 
respect to implementation of policy decisions proposed to be made by the 
Organization under this Act; 
(d)  formulate procedures and necessary framework for utilization of funds 
generated or acquired through services, donations, investments or grants, etc.; 
(e)  specify and propose fees, penalties and other charges chargeable by the 
Organization with the approval of Federal Government for carrying out the 
purposes of this Act; and 
(f) exercise all such powers and perform all such functions as are conferred or 
assigned to it under this Act. 
(3) All policy decisions, including the change in the previously established policy, in respect 
of all and any matters within the jurisdiction of the Organization shall be made only by the Board. 
(4) All policy decisions and directives of the Board shall be published in the official Gazette. 
7. Delegation of powers.—The Board may, by general or special order in writing subject to 
such limitations, restrictions or conditions, delegate all or any of its powers and functions to the 
Chairman. 
8. Meetings of the Board.—(1) The meetings of the Board shall be convened by and under 
the directions of the Chairman: 
Provided that the Federal Government may direct convening of a meeting of the Board at any 
time, on any matter requiring a decision by the Board. 
 
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(2) The Board shall meet as often as may be necessary for the performance of its functions 
but it shall meet not less than two times in a calendar year. 
(3) A simple majority of the total membership shall constitute the quorum for a meeting of 
the Board. Agenda of the meeting shall be presented only once the quorum is complete. The decision 
in the Board shall be adopted by simple majority of the Members present and voting. 
(4) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the procedure and conduct of business of the Board 
shall be regulated by the regulations. 
(5) No act or proceedings of the Board shall be invalid by reason only of the existence of a 
vacancy in the constitution of the Board. 
(6) In case the Chairman is absent or his office is vacant for any reason, the Secretary Cabinet 
Division shall chair the meetings of the Board. 
9. Chairman.—(1) There shall be a Chairman of the Organization to be appointed by the 
Federal Government for a term of three years. 
(2) The Chairman shall be entitled to such privileges and perquisites as may be prescribed. 
(3) The Chairman may resign from his office at any time by notice in writing addressed to the 
Federal Government. 
(4) A vacancy in the Organization caused by the death or resignation of the Chairman shall be 
filled by the Federal Government within ninety days of the occurrence of such vacancy. 
(5) The Chairman may, by general or special order in writing, subject to such limitations, 
restrictions or conditions, delegate all or any of his powers and functions to the Director-General 
including the powers delegated to him under Section 7. 
10. Privileges and perquisites of the Members.—The Members other than public sector 
Members shall be entitled to such privileges and perquisites as may be prescribed. 
11. Functions and powers of the Chairman.—(1) The Chairman shall preside the meetings 
of the Board. 
(2) The Chairman shall supervise and oversee the Director-General in the performance of his 
duties and responsibilities under this Act and shall guide and direct him, as deemed necessary. 
(3) The Chairman shall exercise all such powers and perform all such functions as are 
conferred or assigned to him under this Act. 
12. Director-General.—(1) There shall be a Director-General of the Organization who shall 
be appointed by the Federal Government in consultation with the Chairman on such terms and 
conditions as may be prescribed. 
(2) A person shall not be appointed as a Director-General unless he is a Federal Government 
officer of not below the rank of BPS 21. 
 
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(3) The Director-General shall be the functional head of the Organization and shall be 
responsible for day to day administration of the affairs of the Organization. 
(4) The Director-General shall comply with such directions and decisions of the Federal 
Government, Chairman or the Board issued from time to time. 
(5) The Director-General shall assist the Chairman in formulating policy framework to update 
the Organization and to fulfill obligations of the State on the subject to be presented before the Board 
for approval. 
(6) The Director-General shall be competent in managing the human resource and other 
resources of the Organization in the light of Act and the decisions of the Federal Government, 
Chairman and the Board. 
13. Powers and functions of the Organization.—The powers and functions of the 
Organization shall be to,— 
(i)  administer and coordinate all Government systems for the protection and 
strengthening of intellectual property laws, rules and regulations made 
thereunder; 
(ii)  manage or implement measures and standards on any matter related to or 
connected with Intellectual Property; 
(iii)  accredit or certify any person as intellectual property agent; 
(iv)  levy such charges or fees for services and facilities provided by the 
Organization and its constituent offices with the approval of Federal 
Government; 
(v)  carry out such other works or activities as may be deemed by the Organization 
to be necessary, with a view to making the best use of the assets of the 
Organization; 
(vi)  coordinate, monitor or engage, in conjunction with other authorities, 
international agencies or organizations, in any study, training or cooperation 
project related to intellectual property; 
(vii)  enter into contracts for the supply of goods or services or materials or for the 
execution of works as may be necessary for the discharge of any of its duties 
and functions; 
(viii)  control, manage, supervise, direct and coordinate the working of all intellectual 
property offices established under intellectual property laws and any other 
office or registry established under intellectual property laws to be notified by 
the Federal Government and any other registry or office as prescribed; 
 
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(ix)  evolve and maintain a system to provide access to public documents and 
information relating to any intellectual property kept or maintained by the 
Organization; 
(x)  advise the Federal Government on policy relating to intellectual property 
rights; 
(xi)  plan for development and upgradation of the intellectual property infrastructure 
and capacity in Pakistan; 
(xii)  promote education and research in the field of intellectual property; 
(xiii)  advise the Federal Government regarding the international negotiations in the 
area of intellectual property; 
(xiv)  engage in human resource development and training of its officers and staff; 
(xv)  promote awareness about intellectual property issues in the public and private 
sector through print and electronic media, etc; 
(xvi)  liaise and interact with counterpart intellectual property related organizations in 
other countries for capacity building and exchange of information; 
(xvii)  propose and initiate intellectual property rights legislation for the protection of 
intellectual property rights in Pakistan; 
(xviii)  initiate and monitor the enforcement and protection of intellectual property 
rights through designated law enforcement agencies of the Government, 
Federal or Provincial, and collect related data and information; 
(xix)  initiate and conduct inquires, investigations and proceedings related to offences 
in the prescribed manner; 
(xx)  refer matters and complaints, related to offences under the laws specified in the 
Schedule, to the concerned law enforcement agencies and authorities as may be 
necessary for the purposes of this Act; 
(xxi)  advice any person, legal or natural, on any matters related to intellectual 
property rights including compliance, enforcement and infringement thereof; 
(xxii)  develop working manuals, references, materials and procedures in order to 
assist in improving the protection of intellectual property rights; 
(xxiii) engage in intellectual property rights advocacy; 
(xxiv) coordinate the implementation of foreign-aided technical assistance projects on 
intellectual property; 
 
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(xxv)  attend foreign funded international forums, conferences, meetings or training 
programmes etc., with the approval of Federal Government; 
(xxvi) work for ratification of instruments as suited to the best national interest; and 
(xxvii)  perform and carry out any such other acts, things or functions relating to 
intellectual property assigned to it by the Board or the Federal Government. 
14. Intellectual property rights advocacy.—The Organization shall promote intellectual 
property through advocacy which, among others, shall include,— 
(a)  creating awareness and imparting training about intellectual property issues 
and taking such other actions as may be necessary for the protection of 
intellectual property rights; 
 
(b) reviewing policy frameworks for intellectual property rights and making 
suitable recommendations for amendments to other laws that affect intellectual 
property rights in Pakistan to the Federal Government and Provincial 
Governments; 
 
(c)  holding open hearings on any matter affecting the state of intellectual property 
rights in Pakistan or affecting the State's commercial activities in this regard 
and expressing publicly an opinion with respect to the issue; 
 
(d)  posting on its website inquiries under review and completed, educational 
material etc; and 
(e)  coordinating with trade associations and other related organizations or fora for 
awareness and implementation of the laws mentioned in the schedule. 
*15. Trial of offences.—Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time 
being in force, an accused shall be tried and prosecuted for an offence in the Tribunal and the case 
shall be heard from day to day and shall be disposed of within ninety days. 
16. Establishment of Intellectual Property Tribunals.—**(1) The Federal Government 
may, by notification in the official Gazette, establish as many Tribunals as it considers necessary to 
exercise jurisdiction under this Act, appoint a Presiding Officer for each of such Tribunal and where 
it establishes more Tribunals than one, it shall specify in the notification the territorial limits within 
which each of the Tribunal shall exercise its jurisdiction. 
*(2) Where more than one Tribunal has been established to exercise jurisdiction in the same 
territorial limits, the Federal Government shall define the territorial limits of each such Tribunal. 
*(3) Where more than one Tribunal has been established in the same or different territorial 
limits, the High Court may, if it considers it expedient to do so in the interest of justice or for the 
convenience of the parties or of the witnesses, transfer any case from one Tribunal to another. 
*Came into force on 29th December, 2015 by S.R.O No. 1330(I)/2015. 
**Came into force on and from the 2nd December, 2014 by S.R.O No. 1330(I)/2015. 
 
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 *(4) A Presiding Officer of the Tribunal shall be appointed by the Federal Government after 
consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned in which the Tribunal is established 
and no person shall be appointed a Presiding Officer of a Tribunal unless he,— 
(a)  has been a judge of High Court; or 
(b)  is or has been a District and Sessions Judge; or 
(c)  is an advocate qualified for an appointment as a Judge of the High Court. 
**(5) A Tribunal shall hold its sitting at such places within its territorial jurisdiction as may be 
determined by the Federal Government. 
***(6) A Presiding Officer of a Tribunal, not being a District and Sessions Judge, shall be 
appointed for a term of three years from the date on which he enters upon his office. 
****(7) The salary, allowances and other terms and conditions of service, of a person 
appointed as a Presiding Officer of a Tribunal shall be as may be determined by the Federal 
Government. 
               *****(8) A person, not being a District and Sessions Judge, appointed as a Presiding Officer of a 
Tribunal may, by notice in writing under his hand addressed to the Federal Government, resign from 
his office. 
               *****(9) A Presiding Officer shall not be removed or transferred from his office before the 
completion of term of office without the consultation of the Chief Justice of the High Court 
concerned. 
               *****(10) A Presiding Officer shall be eligible for re-appointment for a similar term and shall 
cease to hold office on attaining the age of sixty five years or the expiry of term, whichever is earlier. 
               *****(11) The Tribunal may, if it so requires, be assisted in technical aspects of intellectual 
property rights involved in any case by an expert who has experience and expertise in the matters of 
intellectual property rights. 
*****(12) Remuneration of the expert, and the party or parties by whom the same shall be 
payable shall be determined by the Tribunal keeping in view the circumstances of each case. 
*****17. Powers of the Tribunals.—(1) Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Tribunal 
shall,— 
(a)  in the exercise of its civil jurisdiction, have all the powers vested in a 
Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908); 
*Came into force on and from 8th September, 2015 by S.R.O No. 1330(I)/2015. 
** Came into force on and from 2nd December, 2014 by S.R.O No. 1330(I)/2015. 
*** Came into force on and from 30th September, 2015 by S.R.O No. 1330(I)/2015 
****Came into force on and from 30th September, 2015 by S.R.O No. 1330(I)/2015 
*****Came into force on 29th December, 2015 by S.R.O No. 1330(I)/2015 
 
 
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(b)  in the exercise of its criminal jurisdiction, try offences made 
punishable under this Act and shall, for this purpose have the same 
powers as are vested in a Court of Sessions under the Code of Criminal 
Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898); 
(2) The Tribunal shall in all matters with respect to which the procedure has not been 
provided for in this Act, follow the procedure laid down in the Code. 
(3) All proceedings before the Tribunal shall, be deemed to be judicial proceedings within the 
meaning or Sections 193 and 228 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860). 
(4) Subject to sub-section (5), no Court other than a Tribunal shall have or exercise any 
jurisdiction with respect to any matter to which the jurisdiction of the Tribunal extends under this 
Act. 
(5) Nothing in sub-section (4) shall be deemed to affect any proceedings pending before such 
Court immediately before the coming into force of this Act. 
(6) All suits and proceedings pending in any Court instituted under intellectual property laws 
shall stand transferred to, and be heard und disposed of by, the Tribunal having jurisdiction under 
this Act. On transfer of proceedings under this sub-section, the parties shall appear before the 
Tribunal concerned on the date previously fixed. 
(7) In respect of proceedings transferred to the Tribunal under sub-section (6), the Court shall 
proceed from the stage which the proceedings had reached immediately prior to the transfer and shall 
not be bound to recall and re-hear any witness and may act on the evidence already recorded or 
produced before a Court from which the proceedings were transferred. 
*18. Jurisdiction of the Tribunals.—(1) All suits and other civil proceedings regarding 
infringement of intellectual property laws shall be instituted and tried in the Tribunal. 
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the 
Tribunal shall have exclusive jurisdiction to try any offence under intellectual property laws. 
*19. Appeals from Court.—Any person aggrieved by the final judgment and order of the 
Tribunal under this Act may, within thirty days of the final judgment or order of the Tribunal, prefer 
an appeal to the High Court having territorial jurisdiction over the Tribunal. 
20. Authentication of orders and other instruments of the Organization.—All orders, 
decisions and all other instruments issued by the Organization shall be authenticated only by the 
signatures of such officer or officers who are authorized by the Director-General in this behalf. 
21. Prohibition of use of certain names, marks, seals, etc.—No person shall use any— 
(a)  name, mark or seal, which may resemble the name, marks or seal of the 
Organization or certain the expression or any abbreviation of such expression; 
or 
*Came into force on 29th December, 2015 by S.R.O No. 1330(I)/2015 
 
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(b)  mark or intellectual property in relation to any article or process containing the 
expression Organization of Pakistan or any abbreviation of such expression. 
22. Exercise of powers of the Organization by other bodies.—The Federal Government 
may, in consultation with the Organization, by Notification in the official Gazette, direct that any 
power exercisable by the Organization under this Act shall, in relation to such matters and subject to 
such conditions as may be specified in the direction, be exercisable also by such body or such 
organization as may be specified in the notification. 
23. Certain matters to be kept confidential.—Any information coming into notice of the 
Organization or any of its officers in relation to any article or process, subject to the provision of this 
Act or any other law for the time being in force shall be treated as confidential and shall not be 
communicated or revealed to any person: 
Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to the disclosure of any information for the 
purpose of prosecution under this Act. 
24. Appointment of officers, etc., by the Organization.—(1) The Organization may, with 
the prior approval of the Board, create posts and appoint such officers, employees, experts and 
consultants, on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed. 
(2) The Director-General shall be empowered for transfers and postings of all the officers, 
employees and servants of the Organization, the Trademarks Registry, Copyright Office, Patent 
Office and any other office established under intellectual property laws as he deems fit and 
appropriate for proper and efficient working of the Organization. 
(3) The civil servants working in the Organization shall be governed by the Civil Servants 
Act, 1973 (LXXI of 1973), and rules made thereunder unless absorbed in the Organization. 
25. Members and officers, etc., to be public servants.—The Chairman, Director General, 
officers, employees, experts and consultants of the Organization shall, when acting or purporting to 
act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act, be deemed to be public servants within the 
meaning of Section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860). 
26. Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan Fund.—(1) There shall be established 
a fund to be known as Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan Fund which shall vest in the 
Organization and shall be utilized by the Organization to meet charges in connection with its 
functions under this Act including the payment of salaries provident fund, loans and advances, staff 
welfare assistance package, and other remuneration to the Chairman, Director-General, officers, 
employees, experts and consultants of the Organization and payment against hired services of and for 
the Organization. The Fund may also be used for workshops, seminars and other event arranged by 
the organization regarding intellectual property rights. 
(2) The Fund shall be financed from the following, sources, namely:- 
(a) grants and loans made by the Federal Government or a Provincial 
Government; 
(b)  loans, aid and donations from the national or international agencies; 
 
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(c) revenue earned from the levy of various charges or fees, etc; and 
(d) income and profits derived from the investments made by the Organization. 
(3) The Fund shall be kept in one or more accounts maintained by the Organization, in local 
or foreign currency, in any scheduled bank in Pakistan and shall be operated in accordance with the 
directions of the Board. 
27. Budget.—The Organization shall, in respect of each financial year submit for approval of 
the Federal Government, on such date as may be prescribed, a statement of the estimated receipts and 
expenditure, including requirements of foreign exchange for the next financial year. 
28. Audit and Accounts.—(1) The accounts of the Organization shall be maintained in the 
manner prescribed by the Controller General of Accounts. 
(2) The Auditor-General of Pakistan shall conduct audit of the accounts of the Organization. 
(3) A copy of the audit report shall be sent to the Federal Government alongwith the 
comments of the Organization. 
(4) The Federal Government may issue directions to the Organization for the rectification of 
any item objected to by the Auditor-General of Pakistan and the Organization shall comply with such 
directions. 
29. Power to amend the Schedule.—The Federal Government may, in consultation with the 
Board, amend the Schedule so as to add any entry thereto or modify or omit any entry therefrom. 
30. Submission of yearly reports and returns.—(1) Within three months of the conclusion 
of each financial year, the Board shall submit an Annual Report together with a copy of statement of 
accounts of the Organization certified by the auditors and a copy of the auditors' report to the Federal 
Government in respect of the activities of the Board including the status of its existing programmes, 
projects and further plans formulated in furtherance of its aims and objectives. 
(2) The Federal Government may require the Organization to submit it to,— 
(a)  any return, statement, estimate, statistics or other information regarding any 
matter under the control of the Organization; 
(b) a report on any subject with which the Organization is concerned; and 
(c) a copy of any document in the charge of the Organization. 
31. Protection of action taken under the Act.—No suit, prosecution or other legal 
proceeding shall lie against the Federal Government, the Board or the Organization or any person 
acting under the Federal Government or the Organization for anything which is in good faith done or 
intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or any rule or regulation made thereunder. 
 
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32. Exemption from any provision of this Act.—The Federal Government may, by 
notification in the official Gazette, exempt any article or class of articles from the operation of all or 
any of the provisions of this Act. 
33. Policy directives.—The Federal Government may, as and when it considers necessary, 
issue policy directives to the Board in respect of its role and functions and the compliance of such 
directives shall be binding on the board. 
34. Power to make rules.—The Organization may, with the approval of Federal 
Government, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this 
Act. 
35. Power to make regulations.—The Organization may, with the prior approval of the 
Board and by notification in the official Gazette, make regulations not inconsistent with this Act or 
the rules made thereunder to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
36. Integration of the Trade Marks Registry, Copyright Office and Patent Office.—
Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force and upon the 
commencement of this Act, the Trademarks Registry, Copyright Office and Patent Office hereinafter 
referred to as the said offices shall become part of the Organization,— 
(a) all assets rights, powers, authorities and privileges and all properties, movable 
and immovable, cash and bank balance, reserve funds, investment and all 
other interest and rights in, or arising out of such properties and all debts, 
liabilities and obligations of whatever kind of the said offices subsisting 
immediately before their integration shall stand transferred to and vest in the 
Organization; 
(b)  all officers and other employees, of the said offices shall, not withstanding 
anything contained in any law or in any agreement, deed, document or other 
instrument, shall stand absorbed and transferred to the Organization and shall 
be deemed to have been appointed or engaged by the Organization in 
accordance with the terms and conditions which shall not be less favorable 
than in the said offices; and no officer or other employee whose services are so 
absorbed and transferred shall be entitled to any compensation because of such 
absorption or transfer. Such officers and other employees shall have the option 
either to remain civil servants, or to be employees of the Organization. The 
option once exercised shall be irrevocable. After exercising the option, the 
employee or employees shall cease to be a civil servant for all purposes and 
shall be entitled to such remuneration, allowances and other terms and 
conditions of the employment as are applicable to the employees of the 
Organization. In the event of such a person opting to remain as a civil servant, 
he shall continue to be governed by Civil Servants Act 1973 (LXXI of 1973) 
and the rules made thereunder in all matters. The Organization shall contribute 
to the pension, gratuity and final payment of provident fund in accordance 
with the rules as applicable lo the civil servant; 
(c)  all debts and obligations incurred or contracts entered into or rights acquired 
and all matters and things engaged to be done by, with or for the said offices 
 
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before their integration, shall be deemed to have been incurred, entered into, 
acquired or engaged to be done by or for, the Organization; and 
(d) all suits and other legal proceedings instituted by or against the said offices 
before their integration shall be deemed to be suits, and proceedings by or 
against the Organization and may be proceeded or Otherwise dealt with 
accordingly. 
37. Authorities to assist and aid the Organization.—All concerned law enforcement 
agencies and authorities in the Federation and the Provinces shall be under an obligation to provide 
and render full and complete assistance to the Organization as the Chairman or Director-General may 
deem fit and proper to demand or require for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
38. Removal of difficulties.—In case any difficulty arises in giving effect to this Act, the 
Federal Government may, for the purposes of removing such difficulty, make such order as it 
considers expedient and any such order shall be deemed to be, and given effect to, as a part of the 
provisions of this Act. 
39. Act to override other laws.—The provisions of this Act shall have effect 
notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being in 
force. 
_______________ 
 
THE SCHEDULE 
[see Section 2(h)] 
(1)  The Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001 (XIX of 2001). 
(2)  The Copyright Ordinance, 1962 (XXXIV of 1962). 
(3)  The Patents Ordinance, 2000 (LXI of 2000). 
(4)  The Registered Designs Ordinance, 2000 (XLV of 2000). 
(5)  The Registered Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits Ordinance, 2000 (XLIX of 2000). 
(6)  Sections 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 485, 486, 487, 488 and 489 of Pakistan Penal Code 
(Act XLV of 1860).