The patents office was an attached department of Ministry of Industries & Production established in 1948 under the provision of section 55 of the Patents & Designs Act. 1911(the Act is amended as Patents Ordinance 2002 & Designs Ordinance, 2000). The law of registration of Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits has also been promulgated as “Registered Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits Ordinance, 2000”.

The Patents Office currently is a part of IPO Pakistan (Intellectual Property Organisation) under Cabinet Division.

Functions:

The Patents Office is an integral part of the progress of the country and of the development of its technological, material resources and it also:

1.Administers the Patents Ordinance, 2000, Designs Ordinance, 2000 and Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits Ordinance, 2000.
2.Grant the Patents to the new and novel inventions. 3.Register the new and novel Designs of an article.
4.Provide a sound legal and administrative framework for the promotion and protection of intellectual property.
5.Formulate and review intellectual property policies and legislation.
6.Represent the government internationally on intellectual property matters.
7.Collaborate with other organisations and intellectual property offices or programmes.
8.To encourage research and inventions.
9.To disclose new technological discoveries.
10.To disseminate technical information & know-how. 11.Endeavours to promote new inventions.
12.To foster and aid industrial development in Pakistan.